Department of Port Administration draws down
$500K for air traffic control tower
The Department of Port Administration has received a draw down of $500,000 from the Federal Aviation Administration. The money is a portion of the $1.9 million approved for the construction of an air traffic control tower at the Tafuna International Airport.
Less than two months ago, Governor Togiola Tulafono and FAA officials finalized and signed an OTA (other transaction authority) which would grant American Samoa nearly $2 million in federal dollars to construct the tower.
Although the money was approved by Congress with the help of Congressman Faleomavaega Eni Hunkin two years ago, the FAA held the funds in trust until such a time when the Territory was able to present a feasible plan for its use.
The issue involving the air traffic control tower was highly debated in the Fono during hearings earlier this year which centered on concerns that air advisory services be provided by Faleolo Airport in Samoa, after the contract with a Washington DC firm who provided advisory services locally had expired.
Within two weeks of the hearings, Governor Togiola announced that he had met with FAA officials and together, they signed an OTA which would provide funding for a temporary tower.
(An OTA is a procurement practice that creates government/industry partnerships to negotiate agreements for prototype-building projects with non-traditional vendors).
Prior to the drawing down of funds, Port Administration had already been looking at ways to maximize the use of the funds.
Port Administration director Matagi Ray McMoore told the local media that he and his staff have been looking into the most suitable and feasible tower plans, considering the limited funding provided.
He explained that he traveled to Samoa to view the Faleolo tower and discovered that the structure is four stories high, as it sits on a hill that provides full view of the entire runway.
Matagi said that because Tafuna Airport sits on a flat plain, our tower would have to be much higher than the one at Faleolo. “Nothing has been finalized yet,” Matagi told reporters.
One of the preliminary steps taken in the plans for the new air traffic control system includes the installation of a temporary beacon light on the water tower used by the Air Rescue and Fire attachment at the airport.
The beacon light will be used as a guide for approaching airplanes.
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