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Malemo takes over Treasurers seat on ASEDA board

ASG Treasurer Malemo L. Tausaga
fili@samoanews.com

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — ASG Treasurer Malemo L. Tausaga is the newest member of the American Samoa Economic Development Authority (ASEDA) board of directors after his confirmation by the Senate.

Malemo’s “insight as the Treasurer... will be an asset to the board in executive objectives that will drive our economic development forward,” said Gov. Lemanu Peleti Palepoi Sialega Mauga in his nomination letter to Fono leaders.

The ASEDA law requires that one of the board members is the ASG Treasurer and Malemo will take over the now vacant post previously held by former ASG Treasurer Ueligitone Tonumaipe’a.

To assist the committee with a question raised during the confirmation, Sen. Magalei Logovi’i, who is the Senate member on the ASEDA board, explained that — in accordance with the law — both the Senate and House have members on the board. He said other board members include the Treasurer, Chief Procurement Officer and directors of Public Works, Commerce Department, and Port Administration.

Magalei said that the previous ASG Treasurer, Ueligitone Tonumaipe’a, was chairman of the board, while Malemo is the new nominee and other ASG directors — to be on the board — will be submitted soon by the Administration for Fono confirmation.

He said Malemo is now the first new board member appointed for Fono confirmation and the board will meet to select its chairman and vice chair in the new future once all its members are confirmed. The Tualauta senator then offered a recommendation to Malemo, saying that current ASEDA executive director Blanche Lulu Barber is well qualified for this post and she also handles money issues for ASEDA.

If the board, selects Malemo as chairman, Barber is “your right-hand,” Magalei told the ASG Treasurer, noting that Barber has experience and knowledge on money matters and contact for off island bond investors and all necessary matters.

With Barber’s experience and knowledge as well as expertise in getting financial reports, Magalei said the chairman won’t have to worry. According to Magalei, Barber was also the “right-hand” for Tonumaipe’a.

Barber has been with ASG Treasury Department for a long time and had accompanied previous board members during Fono hearings in the past years.

 After his confirmation hearing, Malemo stayed to testify on a Senate bill seeking to increase the tobacco excise tax to 3 cents — which will help fund LBJ Medical Center operations — and reduce to 1% the current 2% wage tax, that is paid by all wage earners in the territory. Samoa News will report later this week on this committee hearing.

And in keeping with the governor’s mandate of wearing face masks, Malemo and all those who appeared before the Senate wore their protective masks but removed them in order for them to clearly answer questions and so that senators — who also wore masks — could hear the witnesses.