The American Samoa lieutenant governor, Faoa Aitofele Sunia, says if he is elected governor next week, he will clear a huge debt owed to the American Samoa Power Authority, or ASPA.
Faoa has been in power for the past ten years during which time the government has accrued more than ten million US dollars in unpaid power and water bills from the utility.
ASPA says the unpaid government debt is preventing it passing on cost savings to the public from its solar power projects.
Faoa last night pledged to clear the debt.
"If elected we will pay ASG's [American Samoa Government] ASPA bill and will not allow such indebtedness in the future. Department directors will be told to use electricity consevatively. I urge the ASPA board to use the funds to lower family and business bills."
