Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — In his written testimony recently before the U.S Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, Gov. Lemanu P. S. Mauga shared his concerns with clauses of two federal laws impacting American Samoa infrastructure improvements moving forward.

BUY AMERICAN CLAUSE

The governor explained that often times, meeting requirements of the Build America Buy America Act, which designates procuring American made materials and supplies, is not feasible for the territory, since American Samoa is so isolated from the rest of the nation, and American made products are not readily available.

“As such, the cost of shipping required materials is high due to our remote location,” he said. “Having the flexibility of procuring materials and supplies elsewhere would not only lower costs, but will cut down on lead time.”

He told the congressional committee that American Samoa’s geographic location is closer to New Zealand, Australia, the Pacific Island nations and Asian countries where similar products are manufactured at slightly lower costs.

“Shipping of these materials and supplies to the Territory is also more time efficient,” he said.

Lemanu had briefly mentioned his concerns on this same issue in a press release from the Interagency Group on Insular Affairs meeting in Washington D.C more than a week ago.

According to the White House website, the Build America Buy America Act requires that all of the iron, steel, manufactured products, and construction materials used in infrastructure projects are produced in the U.S.

Exception can be made by the head of a federal agency — but first the proposed waiver must be posted online for 15-days to allow public review and submit comments. (Details on www.whitehouse.gov)

AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL TOWER

In his written testimony to the U.S. Senate committee the governor pointed out that an Air Traffic Control Tower project has certain funding limitations in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL).

He explained that American Samoa has difficulty in competing with the rest of the nation for project funding because often times there are too many elements for which the territory does not qualify.

For example there is funding in BIL for Air Traffic Control Tower projects — which the American Samoa Government desperately needs; “yet we do not qualify as it is meant for airports that have existing towers and are part” of the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration tower program.

Lemanu emphasized that American Samoa does not have an Air Traffic Control Tower at the Pago Pago International Airport. “American Samoa needs funding opportunities to allow for the initial construction of an Air Traffic Control Tower,” he said.

Pago Pago International Airport has been without a tower for many years and at the time it was claimed by the federal government that the airport does not have sufficient traffic in and out for a control tower.

Local lawmakers, previous governors and other leaders have all continued over the years to push for a control tower, while air traffic in and out of Pago Pago International Airport is monitored by Faleolo International Airport in neighboring Samoa.