Lepa District Receive 2nd Portion of $1 million Development Project

By Lagi Keresoma

Apia, Samoa – 13 November 2023: After so many delays, the district of Lepa has finally received the second payment of their $1 Million District Development Project fund.

The District Council Deputy Chairman, Auelua Samuelu Enari signed the funding agreement between the district and the Ministry of Women Community & Social Development (MWCSD) that operates the program last Friday.

The Minister for Women, Mulipola Anarosa Ale Molio’o and the Minister for Finance, Lautimuia Uelese Vaai presided over the signing.

The payment of $150,000 (15%) is specifically for funding the three staff of the District office and allowances of the 14 members of the Council and has been released after the project Steering Committee received a report on the districts use of $200,000 allocated for their office.

“Although there were many questions that needed answers, the Steering Committee decided to release the first portion of the funds to start the district’s development programme while the Ministry of Finance continue their investigation into how the district used the first portion of the funds,” said Mulipola.

Rather than following the project’s criteria in securing a permanent office for the Council, the district paid $96,000 for four years rent of the EFKS church hall for use as the district office.

The payment has been noted as excessive and there was also $2,000 paid to someone who drew up the lease agreement between the church and the district committee and the funds have been returned.

“Just a reminder, that we have one month left for the year and I urge the district to work closely with the Ministry to push our project through,” said Mulipola.

She also acknowledged the district’s patience during challenging times and obstacles that delayed their project.

Auelua expressed the districts support for the $1m project and he pledged that priority would be given to their report and development plans in place.

He acknowledged the Government for the initiative and for the funds allocated of their $1m fund.

When an audit of the latest funds is received, then the rest of the funds in two lots of $425,000 will be paid for the districts development projects. The funds need to be used by December 2023.

Lepa’s Member of Parliament, former Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi had been a vocal critic of the $1m District Development Project saying it was a lie and that it will never eventuate.