9 Jan 2012

American Samoa government payroll in jeopardy

7:16 am on 9 January 2012

The American Samoa governor Togiola Tulafono has advised government workers that they many not get their paychecks at the end of the week if there isn't enough money in the government's coffers.

The payroll is about 4 million US dollars every two weeks.

Speaking on his weekend radio program, Togiola says he was informed last week by the Treasury Department about a drop in customs revenue, placing the government's payroll in serious jeopardy.

He says customs revenues always drop towards the end of the year and the beginning of the new year, and this is coupled with the three payrolls last month taking up additional reserves.

Togiola says there is an uncertainty at this point if there will be enough funds to cover the payroll.