American Samoa is set to receive 60 million US dollars in funding to relocate fuel tanks away from the airport.
Pago Pago, American Samoa. Camel Rock near the village of Lauli'i. Photo: Copyright: sorincolac / 123RF Stock Photo
The tanks had been sitting in the airport's carpark area and were deemed a safety hazard but the government had said it was too expensive to move them away.
American Samoa's Governor, Lolo Matalasi Moliga, told the US Secretary of Transportation, Anthony Fox, the territory had special needs and that the funding was badly needed.
Port Director, Taimalelagi Dr Claire Poumele, said securing the funding had been a challenge.
"This is great news for our government, for our territory, in that we've tried now for over six years to secure the funding and within this week, with the secretary for transportation, with his assistance we now have been able to get the assurance "
Anthony Fox had been making a short visit to the territory to meet the Governor following an official visit to Australia.
