3 Feb 2011

American Samoa government told to sell cable shares to overcome deficit

7:28 pm on 3 February 2011

American Samoa's US congressman, Faleomavaega Eni Hunkin, says to resolve its money problems the government could sell its shares in the under sea fibre optic cable company.

American Samoa spent nine million US dollars on the cable, which connects American Samoa and Samoa to Hawaii.

It owns a third of the shares of the company that manages the cable, American Samoa Hawaii Cable.

The congressman made the recommendation during an address to the senate on federal funding for American Samoa, and legislation he intends to introduce in the current congress.

Faleomavaega says the government shouldn't be in business and should sell the shares to help keep itself afloat.