American Samoa's Governor, Togiola Tulafono, is urging Congressman Faleomavaega not to block congressional funding already approved for construction of an air traffic control tower for Tafuna Airport in Pago Pago.
He says if the government builds the tower, the territory's government will be made fully responsible for funding the operations and maintenance of the building.
He warned that if the tower did not meet FAA standards the federal authorities would close it down.
But Governor Togiola says there have already been reports of near collisions between large airplanes and small ones because of the system in place.
Since last September a private company has been providing traffic advisory services.
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