Ads by Google Ads by Google

Incoming admin’s transition plan outlines the teams' "Dos & Don’ts"

Governor-elect, Lt. Gov. Lemanu Palepoi Sialega Mauga and Lt. governor-elect, Talauega Eleasalo Va’alele Ale (left) in a file photo waving
“This is a transition team NOT an employment opportunity”
fili@samoanews.com

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A transition plan is in place for governor-elect, Lt. Gov. Lemanu Palepoi Sialega Mauga and lieutenant governor-elect, Talauega Eleasalo Va’alele Ale, as the future administration plans to meet in the coming days with Gov. Lolo Matalasi Moliga.

The stated mission for the transition is to “plan, coordinate and compile a transition plan” for Lemanu and Talauega no later than Nov. 30th, according to the transition plan document.

ASG officials told Samoa News yesterday that the Lolo Administration transition report being prepared by the Transition Task Force headed by ASG Treasurer  Ueligitone Tonumaipe’a, is being prepared with the completion date set for Nov. 30th.

For the Lemanu and Talauega transition plan, it says that last Friday was when the transition team leaders and assistant team leaders were identified. (Samoa News understands that a meeting of the newly elected administration was held yesterday, but details weren’t immediately available.)

The transition plan outlines the “Do’s & Don’t” for the transition team — whose members will be meeting with cabinet members of the Lolo Administration as part of turning over the government to the new administration:

•          Remember Integrity, Leadership & Commitment;

•          Lemanu & Talauega will pick their cabinet

•          It’s NOT a Witch-hunt. Look for the information if not asked.

•          You will NOT argue with the director or designated representative

•          This is a transition team NOT an employment opportunity

“If you can’t follow these guidelines, you will be asked to leave,” is the warning to the selected transition team members. “You are a reflection of the Governor elect and Lt. Governor elect.”

Tuimavave Tauapai Laupola was appointed chairman of the executive committee for transition, and according to the transition plan, all reports — following visits to departments and gathering information — are to be submitted to the chairman by Nov. 25th.

According to the transition plan, upon receiving transition reports from the Lolo Administration, the transition team leaders are to review them and identify — mission and vision statement; mandates that created the department; organizational chart; current financial health of a department — based on Treasury accounts and budgets of fiscal years 2020 and 2021; and names of federal and local program accounts.

For Human Resources — request all current employees from each department and identify whether they are contract or career service employees.

For Property Management — identify all government assets — i.e. buildings, cars, equipment, furniture and insurance, if any, and to include the insurance commissioner.

Team leaders are also asked for an inventory of agency properties by funding source — local or federal; and to provide a list of all Special Projects and the funding source. Team leaders are also to focus attention on FYs 2020 and 2021, as the new administration will be in FY 2021 and therefore need to review what occurred in FY 2020.

Lolo told a cabinet meeting last month that the ASG’s Treasurer’s report forecast about $7.5 million surplus for FY 2019 and about $10 million-plus for FY 2020. Combining the two fiscal years, he said the surplus total could reach more than $17.5 million.