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Plan to move KVZK to ASTCA “being advanced”

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reporters@samoanews.com

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The Lolo Administration’s move to merge the Office of Public Information (KVZK-TV) with American Samoa TeleCommunications Authority (ASTCA) is “being advanced at this time,” according to the Governor’s executive assistant Iulogologo Joseph Pereira, who is also the ASTCA board chairman.

Reports of KVZK-TV coming under the auspices of ASTCA first surfaced in 2018. Late last year, after the Hawaiki fiber optic cable became fully operational in the territory through ASTCA, reports surfaced again that plans for the merger of the two ASG entities would move forward — where KVZK-TV will become a part of ASTCA.

Responding to Samoa News inquiries, Iulogologo explained that Office of Public Information director Tuimavave Tauapa'i Laupola is now working in the Governor’s Office “as the move of KVZK to ASTCA is being advanced at this time.”

Tuimavave “provides an added perspective in the Governor's Office as it prepares to transition to the new administration,” Iulogologo told Samoa News.

He explained that Tuimavave is charged with developing the Administration's transition plan for implementation in the remaining six months before the current administration exits the political scene.

“As KVZK is being placed under ASTCA, the administrative framework to run KVZK going forward is left to ASTCA board and management,” he said.

When asked in March this year about the status of merging the two entities, Iulogologo said “ASTCA is dedicating its time and effort to complete all major service projects aimed to improve services which reciprocally enhance its financial posture so it can pay back what it owes ASG” and the American Samoa Economic Development Authority (ASEDA).