American Samoa's governor, Lolo Matalasi Moliga, has dismissed criticism that he is "anti-canneries".
American Samoa Governor Lolo Moliga. Photo: RNZI Monica Miller
The criticism surfaced early this year when the governor denied a request by StarKist to construct cold freezer storage on government land at the shipyard facility.
So when StarKist, which is the largest private employer in American Samoa, closed down for two weeks in September this year due to a shortage of fish supplies, the "anti-canneries" claim against the governor continued.
Lolo told reporters the cannery industry is among many sectors the government depends on.
He said his administration fully supports the canneries because they are the lifeline of many residents in the territory.
He said only a governor who had problems with the head - using the Samoan words "e leaga le ulu" - would be against the canneries, which provided for the people and government of American Samoa.