$3.3m for 21 Districts in second $51m funding of Village Development Projects

By Lagi Keresoma/

Apia, Samoa – 15 February 2024:  $3.3m tala has been allocated to 21 districts to continue the operation of their District Development Offices overseeing the projects under the $1m District Development Project.

The 21 districts yesterday signed the funding agreements for $160,000 each for the office operations and salaries.

This is the first allocation under the second $1m for each of the 51 districts approved under the 2023/2024 budget.

When the expense reports for this amount is submitted, these districts will be entitled to the first tranche of $420,000 for their designated village based projects.

The funding agreements were signed by the Minister of Women Social Development & Community Mulipola Anarosa Ale Molio’o, the Minister of Finance Lautimuia Uelese Vaai and representatives of the 21 District Development Councils.

Mulipola explained that the process which guided the first $1million roll out is also used for the second million but the only difference is the amount of funds released.

“You are signing $160,000 today to help with district council offices operations,” said Mulipola.

Member of Parliament for Aleipata Itupa i Luga, Fuaava Suluimalo Amataga shake hands with the Minister for Women Social Development & Community Mulipola Anarosa Ale Molio’o after signing the funding agreement.

Under the first million, $150,000 was released for office operations but this has been increased to $160,000 after requests from districts offices that the allocated funds for this purpose were not enough.

Mulipola explained that after the districts submit their audited reports, then the first tranche of $420,000 will be released next month (March 2024).

The final tranche of $420,000 is expected to be released by September 2024, but Mulipola said the sooner the districts submit their audited reports, the sooner the funds are released.

She noted the many challenges the districts and steering committee faced during the first million roll out and commended them for their patience and faith.

“The challenges we faced provided lessons which help us prepare for the second million disbursements,” she said.

She reminded the districts that the project’s focus is on social development and urged them to ensure that everyone benefits from it.

The twenty one districts who signed the funding agreements are:

• Palauli 2
• Faasaleleaga 4
• Gagaemauga 2
• Vaimauga 3
• Lotofaga
• Falealupo
• Palauli 1
• Aana Alofi 1
• Anoamaa 1
• Faleata 2
• Falealili 2
• Safata
• Anoamaa 2
• Faleata 1
• Aleipata Itupa I Luga
• Vaimauga 1
• Palauli 3
• Faleata 4
• Siumu
• Vaimauga 4
• Vaimauga 2