Sagaga 3 resolves differences to progress their $1M District Development Project

By Lagi Keresoma

Apia, Samoa- 20 September 2023: Sagaga 3 constituency has resolved their political differences that delayed their $1 million District Development Project for nine months.

Yesterday, the districts Member of Parliament, Sala Pinati who is the project’s Chairman could not attend but the Deputy Chairman, Sala Vaimili 11 signed the funding agreement on behalf of the district.

The district took 9 months to sort out their internal differences which centred around the merge of Leauva’a – a traditional village and Aleisa which has predominantly free hold residents. The main issue was the fair distribution of the projects funds between the two and the composition of the members of the District Development Committee that oversees the funds and projects allocation.

The issues were finally resolved 18 July 2023, in a meeting between the two villages and the Ministry of Women Social Development & Community and the acceptance of the division of the number of members of the District Development Committee.

“The signing today is an indication of the district putting behind differences and came together to develop and build the welfare of the district members,” according to the Acting Minister of Women, Mulipola Anarosa Ale Molio’o.

The Deputy Chairman, Sala Vaimili acknowledged the Ministry and the Government for their patience.

He also said the past is the past and the district is moving forward with their development plans.

Members of the Sagaga 3 District Development Council with the Minister of Finance and government officials implementing the $1m District Development project.

Three more districts yet to sign $150,000
Of the 51 districts eligible to the $1 million development funds, 48 have already moved on with their developments and three are yet to receive their $150,000 funds.

Mulipola did not disclose the districts names but is confident that if Sagaga has accepted the criteria and resolved their internal matters smoothly, she hopes the other districts would follow.

She said the Government does not want to interfere with districts internal matters however, some have taken longer to resolve their issues and the Government can only advise and assist in seeing resolutions without overstepping the boundaries.

“It is very important for the District Councils and the Steering Committee to work together,” said Mulipola.

It is now 2 ½ years since the FAST Government took office and Mulipola said there were major issues that delayed the FAST government taking office three months after the 2021 general elections.

“The first budget included $11m which included $200,000 for the establishment of District Council offices and salaries for 3 officers,” said Mulipola.

“The second budget included $51m allocated for 51 districts for the development projects and because it is a very new initiative, it was not easy for the Minister for MWSDC to implement as there were challenges along the way,” the Minister explained.

She also emphasized that in order for the project to be successful; Government not only need the support of its public servants but the support of districts and MPs who leads the project in their respective districts.

She said the $5m allocated per district within 5 years should be wrapped up before the end of the 5 year term and she confirmed that more than 30 districts have received their first full $1m for their projects.

This is separate from the $51 million already allocated for each of the 51 constituencies in the 2023/2024 budget.