Due to the Sept. 29th earthquake and tsunami disasters, the U.S. government has given American Samoa a grace period to submit its first report on recovery money spending and the number of jobs created.
The first report was due on Oct. 1, 2009 but the White House has decided to give American Samoa a blanket waiver due to the disasters and the reports are now due early January.
Meanwhile, American Samoa governor, Togiola Tulafono, has issued a reminder to his cabinet directors to review their plans carefully before spending stimulus and recovery funds
Togiola says ASG's Internal Auditor, Gaea Pelefoti, can help and stands ready to conduct internal audits if needed by any departments.
The biggest single allocation for American Samoa is about $87 million dollars from the U.S. Department of Education's stabilization funds, but American Samoa must provide a specific plan on the use of the money before it is released.