Four Districts receive full instalment of $1m District Development Project

By Lagi Keresoma

APIA, SAMOA – 19 JUNE 2023: The delay in submitting districts audited reports has deterred the disbursement of funds under the Government’s $1 million District Development Project.

As of today, four districts have completed and satisfied the Steering Committee’s criteria to qualify for the final tranche of $425,000 bringing their total funds released under the Agreement to $1million tala.

These districts include Falealupo, Faasaleleaga No 4, Palauli No 2 and Gagaemauga No 2.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Women, Community & Social Development (MWCSD) Dr Mema Motusaga, said the Ministry and Steering Committee has already approved the districts audited reports on how they utilized their first $425,000, and are now qualified for their final $425,000 after a One on One Consultation.

Delay submission hasn’t deter the program
Speaking to Talamua after the signing ceremony today, Dr. Mema said there are only a few districts who need to resolve their internal issues before finalizing their project.

She said that out of 51 districts, two districts Fa’asaleleaga No.5 and Vaisigano No.2 are having issues with the lands allocated by their District Councils for offices.

She did not elaborate on the issues but confirmed that the matters are now before the Court.

44 districts received First Tranche of $425,000 of the $1m project
The CEO also confirmed that 44 out of 51 have received the first tranche of $425,000 of the $1m and have gone ahead with their development projects.

She said 7 districts are yet to receive theirs as the Ministry awaits their audited report.

The Projects updated Factsheet June 2023

Three sign $150,000 fund agreements today
Three districts signed the Fund Agreement of $150,000 for the $1 million District Development Project today.

They are Gagaifomauga No1, Fa’aasaleleaga No 1 and A’ana Alofi No 4.

This is after the Steering Committee for the $1m District Development Project approved the 3 districts audited reports on the use of the $200,000 allocated to build their district council offices.

The $150,000 is specifically for the operation of the district council offices and salaries of the staff.

In a brief ceremony, Dr. Mema announced that Gagaifomauga No.1 and Fa’asaleleaga No.1 have also qualified for the first tranche of $425,000 of the $1million tala fund.

The Minister for Finance Mulipola Anarosa Ale Molio’o congratulated the districts and explained to their representatives that it will take 5 working days to process the funds before the funds enter their districts bank account.

As for the first tranche of $425,000, it will take 10 working days before the funds are transferred into their accounts.