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Senators focus on DPW nominee’s health as they field questions on infrastructure projects

Taeaotui Punaofo Tilei
andrew@samoanews.com

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The governor's nomination of former Public Works Director Taeaotui Punaofo Tilei to head the department once again was confirmed by the Senate in a 12-4 vote last Thursday.

Taeaotui, who served as DPW Director during the Tauese and Togiola administration in 1997, appeared a bit frail and seemed hard of hearing at times, requesting senators on multiple occasions to repeat their questions.

This prompted four senators to inquire about his health and whether he was physically fit to take on the challenging and demanding position.

Taeaotui confidently responded that his health was 100 percent.

Senate President Tuaolo Manaia Fruean inquired about unfinished infrastructure projects, such as the road at Amouli and the sidewalk from Lepuapua to Leone.

The director nominee explained that Public Works is ordering 30,000 tons of asphalt from McConnell Dowell for $8,000 to complete some of the road projects. Additionally, they are requesting asphalt from the owner of Paramount Builder. He mentioned that the Deputy Director of Public Works will review all road projects and provide a report.

Tuaolo asked who his deputy was and Taeaotui clarified that he has appointed two deputies, Laupule Tilei and Falavai Taase and a third one is pending, Uaealesi Doris Sipelii. All are career service employees. Tuaolo also asked the nominee if one of them was his son to which he responded in the affirmative.

The Senate president stated that most of the roads remain in the same condition as when Taeaotui was the DPW director and asked what steps would be taken to address the issue. Taeaotui replied that work should have started last week, but they are waiting for the road paving asphalt to be produced.

Senator Leatualevao Asifoa noted that in the past, there was only one deputy director who was a career service employee. However, now there are multiple deputy directors, including contract employees. The new senator for the Leasina/ Aitulagi District recalled that when there was a change in administration, the deputy director would take over. But now, most deputy directors are contract employees with high salaries.

Leatualevao expressed his dissatisfaction with the poor quality of road construction and maintenance. He recalled the construction of the road leading up to Aoloau and stated that the tar sealing in some places was only about an inch thick, which is why constant maintenance is needed, especially after heavy rains.

He emphasized that the tar seal must be at least three inches thick to ensure a stable and long-lasting road. He blamed the department’s inspectors for not doing their job properly or accepting monetary tips from contractors to approve smooth-looking but thinly tar-sealed roads.

Responding to Senator Leatualevao's concerns, Taeaotui stated that the three deputies he has appointed are all career service employees. One is from the department's finance division, and two are civil engineers who will be monitoring all projects.

Senator Olo Uluao Letuli asked the director nominee about his priorities regarding the many construction projects put on hold by the governor and the ongoing construction of the new Fono building.

Olo also mentioned the newly constructed sidewalk at Lepuapua in front of Fa'asao Marist High School, stating that water from the recent heavy rains has started to erode the sides of the sidewalk, endangering the students and the public who use it.

Olo said that Deputy Director Falava'i Ta'ase is well aware of the situation because he passes by this area every day on his way to work and back to his residence in Nua & Se'etaga.

The Fofo senator also requested a report detailing the total amount of funds spent so far on the construction of the new Fono building. He mentioned that former Director Faleosina Voigt had been asked about this when she appeared before the Senate but gave vague answers.

He remarked, “She said it may be around $20 million. But we want the total amount of funds spent so far on the project since it started up to now. It may end up costing $50 million."

Acting director Taeaotui stated that he did not have that information, as the Fono pays the bills and Public Works does not control the money.

Senator Gaoteote Palaie Tofau believed that roadsides were well maintained and clean when landscaping contractors were doing the job. He asked if Public Works can upkeep roadsides now that private landscaping businesses are no longer doing this work.

Taeaotui responded that there were more than 50 landscaping contractors employed by the government. However, he noted that except for the landscaping contractor responsible for the town area, who is doing a good job, all other landscaping contracts have been suspended while they carry out a review with the Office of Procurement due to the unsatisfactory quality of their work.

The director nominee also addressed problems with the construction of buildings, stating that some school buildings haven’t been completed for many years. He mentioned that if contractors fail to perform and don’t complete projects on time, they should be assessed a penalty of $500 per day.

Responding to a question from Committee Chairman Sen. Levu Iosia Jr. about whether Public Works employees are tested for drugs, Taeaotui said no drug tests were done in previous years, but he intends to start testing the employees. He also warned that any employee found to be using drugs will be fired.