Source: Radio NZ
American Samoa lawmakers convene today for a four-day Special Session called by Governor.
Togiola Tulafono is seeking approval a land lease agreement between the American Samoa Government and Tri Marine International to operate the closed Samoa Packing plant.
The lease agreement is for the new cannery called Samoa Tuna Processing, which is a registered company of Tri Marine.
This followed last week’s signing in Honolulu of an initial lease agreement with Tri Marine for less than 10 years, with the option to renew for a longer lease period.
Chicken of the Sea, the former owners of the plant, and Tri Marine have signed an agreement turning over the Samoa Packing plant and equipment to Tri Marine.
Under local statute, any lease of 10 years or more are subject to Legislative approval.
In his letter that accompanied the proposed lease agreement for Fono approval, Togiola said Samoa Tuna Processors wishes to exercise its option to extend its lease beyond 10 years for 30 years.
The plant closed Sept. 30, 2009, costing the jobs of 2,200 workers. According to the proposed lease agreement, the new cannery company is called Samoa Tuna Processing Inc.
The special session is to open Tuesday and run through Friday.