American Samoa's newly-sworn in Governor Lolo Matalasi Moliga has ordered cost containment measures to take effect immediately and has made sweeping changes for the use of government vehicles and cell phones.
The governor has rescinded all new hires, reclassifications and promotions made in the last six months but not included in the Fiscal Year 2013 and previous year budget.
Such personnel actions revert to their prior status.
Governor Lolo has ordered that from Janaury 11 all executive branch vehicles will be parked at the Motor Pool compound in Tafuna at the end of each working day.
No vehicle will be taken home by an employee unless justified by the director or acting director, demonstrating a life or death" threat necessitating after hour use of the vehicle.
A third memorandum from Governor Lolo would require ASG employees with government cell phones to pay the monthly bill for their cell phones even if its used for official business.
