Minister Seeks Legal Advice over Vaimauga 3 District Council Dispute

By Lagi Keresoma

APIA, SAMOA – 28 JULY 2022: The Minister for Women & Social Development, Leota Laki Lamositele Sio is seeking the Attorney General’s advice on the Vaimauga No 3 $1 million tala District Development Project which has divided the district members.

He confirmed receipt of a letter from the disappointed members on 11 July 2022, and he had informed them that he will respond fully when he gets legal advice.

That letter highlighted the process with which the first Vaimauga No 3 District Council members were selected and reasons why their Member of Parliament, Tapunu’u Niko Lee Hang was not included.

According to council member Toleafoa Telesia Mataipule, a council had already been selected without Tapunu’u who she claimed did not want to be part of the project from the beginning hence the district going ahead and selected a council.

Members of the Vaimauga 3 District Council.

She also claimed that they have already registered their District Council with the Ministry of Commerce, Industry & Labour (MCIL).

However, when Tapunu’u came on-board, he selected a committee which she claimed consisted of mostly people from his village and family which has created tension among district members.

Toleafoa is not certain if Tapunu’u’s new District Council has revoked the council already selected by various sub-villages of the district.

“We have approached Tapunu’u many times but refused to see us,” said Toleafoa.

She also said some of the members in Tapunu’u’s council have already registered with their council which had been meeting several times since last year, but Tapunu’u only entered the scene a few months ago.

“This is after Leota issued a second guideline which prompted Tapunu’u to establish his council with the assistance from some of our own selected council members,” said another member, Theresa Grace Finau.

Toleafoa said they have also approached the Faatuatua I le Atua Samoa ua Tasi-FAST party Chairman, Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao on the same issue.

According to the Government’s guidelines for the $1 million District Development Project, the district MP is the Chairperson of the council and the majority of council members should be Faatuatua I le Atua Samoa ua Tasi-FAST members.

However, several district members including Toleafoa could not wait for the MP while other districts are already in the process of establishing their councils.

The disappointed district members have taken steps to take the matter to court if they do not get a satisfactory answer, and are planning a fundraiser to meet their legal fees.

The Vaimauga No 3 district includes Matautu-tai, Matautu-uta, Vaisigano, Leone, Vini, Magiagi, Lelata, Faatoia, Maagao, Vailima, Vaoala, Tanugamanono, Papauta, Nafanua, Letava and Afiamalu.