The American Samoa Senate has asked the Governor Togiola Tulafono to explain why the government should buy a plane, how it will be used and how he will pay for its operation.
The Government announced early this month that it had bought a plane to monitor illegal fishing and to provide emergency travel to Manu'a.
But the Senate President Lolo Letalu Moliga says money the Senate had set aside to maintain transportation to Manu'a was not intended to go towards an aircraft.
He says the intent of the legislation was to pay for charter vessels and air services to ensure links to Manu'a during an emergency.
The Senate leader says there are now two local airlines and there is no need for the Government to enter the airline business.
