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Lolo asks lawmakers to show sensitivity to directors workload

Gov. Lolo Matalasi Moliga
fili@samoanews.com

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — In an Aug 7 letter to Fono leaders, Gov. Lolo Matalasi Moliga asked that lawmakers show some sensitivity and recognition to the workload of directors and demands placed on their time when they are called to committee hearings.

Lolo also pointed out the lack of information provided to the Executive Branch prior to committee hearings so that directors can be better prepared.

“Lack of specific indication of the exact issues requiring explanation other than an open forum to express personal irritation fails to accord the respect demonstrated by the directors’ appearances before respective committees,” he wrote.

According to the governor, it would save time and allow directors to better prepare for committee hearings in the future, if specific issues that are to be discussed with lawmakers are clearly articulated in the letter sent to the Governor’s Office requesting their appearances.

And if lengthy reports are required from directors, the governor asked the Fono to give the administration sufficient time to prepare such reports.

Fono committee requests for directors to appear for hearings go through the Governor’s Office, as the usual protocol. But there have been past incidents where such requests are late in getting to cabinet members and therefore they either don’t show up or are late in getting to the hearing.