American Samoa's governor has signed into law his first budget since taking office on January the 3rd.
Lemanu Peleti Mauga signed into law the American Samoa Government's fiscal year 2021 total budget of US$466 million - a 10 percent increase from the approved 2020 budget.
The budget bill, approved by the Fono earlier in the month, covers the entire Financial Year 2021, which started on October 1st, 2020.
Lemanu informed Fono leaders the approved budget allows for the continued operations of government but most importantly, grants the means to execute plans for the "betterment of the people and advancement of the territory".
American Samoa's Lt Governor Lemanu Peleti Mauga at the Pago Pago launch of Talofa Airways Photo: RNZI/Monica Miller
Among the funding sources, for the budget bill, is $US110.2 million from local revenue; $US134.7 million in Special Federal Grants; $US210.8 million under Enterprise Funds and $US10.3 million for Capital Improvement Projects (CIP).
Under local revenue, tax collection makes up the largest pool of government funds, projected at US$71 million.
Prior to signing the 2021 budget bill into law, the government was operating under a resolution set to expire on 5 March.