13 Mar 2017

Aumua makes case for CIP funding for American Samoa

3:09 pm on 13 March 2017

American Samoa's Congresswoman Aumua Amata has stressed to US government officials the importance of continued US funding under the Capital Improvement Project program.

Incumbent Congresswoman Aumua Amata is seeking a second term.

Incumbent Congresswoman Aumua Amata is seeking a second term. Photo: Supplied/United States Congress

This funding goes to infrastructure development in the territories.

American Samoa currently gets just over $US9 million annually from the CIP fund.

Aumua said American Samoa was engaged in a never-ending fight to make sure that it got treated on the same footing as other states and territories.

"Primary example is the LBJ Tropical Medical Centre in American Samoa which remains under-equipped and under-staffed, forcing many of our islands' residents, especially our veterans to seek off-island care."

She said the CIP funds allowed the territory to alleviate some of its funding issues, going not only towards healthcare projects, but also education, transportation, and other infrastructure.

And she would like to see the CIP grant program not only continue but be expanded.