Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Port Administration revealed in their third quarter report that the funding source for the reconstruction of the Aunu’u wharf is “to be announced” — yet on the report there is an allocation for the project, which will cost $5 million.

There is also no funding available for the Aunu’u shoreline protection project, according to the Department of Public Works latest report dated September 26, 2022, which was submitted to the Senate Public Works Committee.

This report outlines that Paramount Builders is the contractor for work on the pre-cast of tribars, which is ongoing, but for the entire shoreline protection project “discussion is ongoing on who is responsible for funding.”

This is despite comments by the Chief of Staff Loa Tauapa’i Mulipola that the Department of Public Works and the American Samoa Department of Homeland Security have visited Aunu’u “and have plans laid out for Aunuu.”

Earlier this month constituents of Sao’le gathered at Utulei beach to raise awareness claiming the lack of necessary actions by ASG following the King Tides in July that damaged the wharf and some parts of their village of Aunu’u.

According to the third quarterly performance report covering April to June, 2022 — on the Aunu’u wharf a funding application had been submitted for a FEMA Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) fund grant in January this year. The contractor is also “to be announced” says the report. The Department of Port Administration oversees the territory’s six seaports, which includes Pago Pago, Auasi, Aunu’u, Ofu, Faleasao and Ta’u.

BACKGROUND

Prior to the protest the Aunu’u lawmaker, which Titialii Kitara Vaiau was against, he said his constituency needs to give the government time to put in place processes to ensure that the work that needs to be done for Aunu’u will be done.

As reported earlier by Samoa News Titialli said he is not siding with the government, but it is only fair that the administration is given ample time to respond to our needs.

“People on the east side can attest to the work currently underway for roadworks, which has now reached Laulii,” he said.

Adding there is so much work that needs to be done for Aunu’u and that the government should take appropriate actions, but a protest would “not help our cause,” said Titialii.

He also cited that there are bigger plans for Aunu’u including plans for a bridge connecting the Island of Aunu’u to Tutuila.

Titialii said that a feasibility study should be conducted on this important project as traveling by boat between Aunuu and Tutuila is one of the most dangerous forms of transportation in the territory.