Buildings incur $5 million maintenance cost

By Joyetter Feagaimaali'i 16 January 2020, 2:00PM

The Government has allocated $5 million tala to cover the maintenance cost of two state-owned multi-storey buildings in town, the Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi (T.A.T.T.E.) and the Fiame Mata'afa Faumuina Mulinuu (F.M.F.M.) II.

The allocation of the funding was confirmed by the Ministry of Finance's Chief Executive Officer, Leasiosiofaasisina Oscar Malielegaoi, in response to questions from the Samoa Observer. 

He said the maintenance of the buildings will cover cleaning and maintenance services; security: electrical (including elevators and air conditioning) services; plumbing services; electricity and water charges; servicing the convention centre; ground maintenance (outdoor); and operating costs for divisional staff overseeing and managing Government buildings.

“The maintenance for T.A.T.T.E. is outsourced to the private sector using Government’s procurement guidelines while F.M.F.M. II building maintenance is under M.O.F. The contract commenced in 2012 immediately after T.A.T.T.E. was commissioned,” he said.

The $5 million expenditure was highlighted in the Parliament’s Finance and Expenditure Report which was tabled in Parliament for the budget hearing for the Financial Year 2019-2020. 

Parliament has cautioned M.O.F. about the utilisation of the funds given that it is a significant amount.

“We urge the Ministry to monitor closely the maintenance of the building given the significant amount of government funds allocated to maintenance,” stated the Parliament report. 

Leasiosio said a maintenance budget is provided for in the annual budgets for all Government buildings.

By Joyetter Feagaimaali'i 16 January 2020, 2:00PM

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