A. Samoa officials get $20K each for their London trip

PAGO PAGO, American Samoa (The Samoa News, PIR)—At least three people representing the American Samoa Government’s Employee Retirement Fund each received a per diem/travel assistance of US$20,049.50 for a one-week trip (Sept. 28-Oct. 5) to London, England.

Four people traveled to London, England. Lt. Governor Ipulasi Aitofele Sunia, Budget Office director Magalei Logovi’i, Retirement Fund board chairman Aleki Sene and the Fund’s executive director Filisouaiga Pili Taafua. However, as of press time last evening, Samoa News was unable to confirm if the Retirement Fund board chairman Aleki Sene received the same amount as his counterparts.

Samoa News has obtained photo copies of the checks issued to Magalei, Ipulasi, and Filisouaiga. All received travel assistance checks drawn out of the American Samoa Government Employees’ Retirement Fund’s Administrative Expense Account. The checks were signed by Sene and Taafua.

Based on the length of the trip and the amount of per diem issued, each of the three men received US$2,864.21 per day for a one-week period.

When contacted for comments yesterday morning, Filisouaiga explained that the checks were issued as travel assistance for their recent trip to London, and board members are only given money and financial assistance for travel, as they do not receive commission or compensation for their services.

No explanation was offered as to how the per diem rate was calculated.

Filisouaiga continued by saying that the purpose of the trip was to meet with several investment managers, and London was the location of choice because that is where most of the headquarters for the different investment managers are based.

“We traveled to London to see their side of things there, as this is our responsibility to the Fund, to keep up with how the investments are being handled and how the funds are being managed,” Filisouaiga explained, adding that 20 percent (US$40 million) of the Retirement Fund’s portfolio is invested internationally.

When asked how many more trips the Retirement Fund board members plan on taking this year, Filisouaiga replied that there are a number of conferences on the agenda, although participation in these trips must always be approved by the Retirement Fund Board.