Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The 2022 COVID-19 Task Force operation financial report, identifies “key long-term objectives” as American Samoa looks at the “Road Ahead” after two and half years of COVID-19 restrictions and emergency declarations.

The report noted that the support provided through the various programs in the recovery phase of the COVID-19 pandemic were a priority of the Governor and the Task Force to support local impacted workers and businesses that were negatively affected by the Code Red restrictions and COVID-19 emergency declaration restrictions.

ROAD AHEAD

“Maximizing key federal funding” under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) and Inflation Reduction Act (IRA of 2022) “is key to addressing our territorial short-term and long-term challenges,” the report says.

“Identifying territorial priorities and developing a comprehensive plan will be crucial to maximizing the funding,” it says.

According to the report, “Key long-term objectives” include improving healthcare access and services, educational system and strengthening critical infrastructure deficiencies.

And critical infrastructure deficiencies include:

•           clean water distribution system

•           broadband capacity and speed

•           upgrading our only commercial wharf facility and airport ■ road & drainage, seawalls

•           other climate change and mitigation projects.

“The administration is working collaboratively with key territorial stakeholders and our federal partners to ensure territorial objectives are aligned and available resources are effectively deployed,” the report says.

“The underlying impact of climate change poses an added challenge for American Samoa,” it says noting that American Samoa’s remote location as the southernmost U.S. possession, “along with our supply chain limitations creates unique restrictions to our ability to implement these critical projects and programs.”

“Our ability to effectively address these longstanding challenges are critical for supporting our economy and quality of life in American Samoa,” it says.

CONCLUSION

The “conclusion” of the report, included a statement by the task force and administration, saying that “American Samoa like much of the country is at a crossroads as we move past many of the restrictions that have been a part of our lives since March 2020 and seek to define our new normal.”

“We have learned a great deal about how to manage a pandemic and this will doubtless serve the territory in the future,” it says. “In fact, some of the lessons learned here, like the test to treat initiatives were implemented effectively across many parts of the US mainland.”

“Now we must transition from responding to the immediate negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic to planning and implementing our short-term and long-term recovery strategies,” the report points out.

“Our recovery challenges will prove to be equally difficult as these challenges have only been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic,” it says. “Our limited access to quality medical services, improving our educational system, strengthening our critical infrastructure capabilities from clean water distribution system, broadband capacity and speed, upgrading our lone commercial sea and air ports to remain functional during pandemic scenarios and other economic drivers for the territory.

“As we move towards our recovery phase, we must use this opportunity to reflect and take account of our preparations, planning, response capabilities, shortcoming and successes,” it says.

“We must be willing to self-assess our operational apparatus and decision-making process to determine our strengths and weaknesses,” according to the report, which went on to acknowledge and recognize the support of federal partners.

“It was a difficult challenge, but with the help of our federal family, we are better prepared, equipped and stronger than we have ever been before. We couldn’t be more prouder of our local healthcare system, our local health care professionals, first responders and border enforcement personnel for always rising to the challenge along our COVID-19 pandemic journey,” it says.

“Lastly, we must recognize the people of American Samoa that have endured nearly 2 and half years of border closure or restricted access, that truly kept America Samoa an isolated island,” the report says.

“Their resiliency and sense of community was evident in their shared sacrifice and willingness to keep the common welfare and good ahead of any personal agenda,” it says.

“The next few years will be pivotal in how we shape the future for American Samoa. The choices and decisions we make in allocating our resources will need our collective input and ultimately our support for a better and stronger America Samoa,” the report concluded.

As the Fono reconvened yesterday following a mid-session recess, Samoa News understands that several lawmakers plan to seek a copy of the report from the Administration.