Three More Districts Access Second $1Million for Village Development Projects

By Lagi Keresoma/

Apia, Samoa – 04 March 2024- Three more districts from Savaii have signed the Funding Agreements to access the first portion of their second $1 million tala allocated for their village based development projects.

The districts are Vaisigano 1, Satupaitea and Faasaleleaga 1 who signed the agreements with the Minister for Women Social Development & Community Mulipola Anarosa Molio’o and the Minister of Finance, Lautimuia Uelese Vaai.

Mulipola said the $1m Project Steering Committee approved the three districts to access the second $1m after assessing their audited reports on how their first $1,000,000 was utilized.

Each of the three districts received $160,000 each for the operation of their District Council Offices, staff salaries and Council members’ allowances.

Mulipola said the project had to overcome many challenges and hurdles in adhering to the guidelines before the disbursement of the first $1m and there were also many lessons learnt which makes the roll out of the second $1 million easier and faster.

“It was not an easy journey for all of us and we urge you to follow the guidelines set down for the project and please communicate with the Ministry if there are any doubts or clarification of any issues,” she said.

The Member of Parliament and Chairman of Vaisigano 1 District Council, Niuava Eti Malolo & Council Member Tupai Saleimoa Vaai shake hands with Minister Mulipola Anarosa Ale Molioo after the funding agreement signing.

She informed the district representatives that the sooner they submit their Annual Plan and budget reports to the Steering Committee, the sooner they proceed to the next step which is the One on One Consultation with the Working Committee before the release of the first tranche of $420,000 for approved projects.

This is followed by the submission of acquittals report on how the first $420,000 was used to be followed by a One on One consultation to clarify the projects allocated for the final and second tranche of $420,000 by June.

By September an audited report on how the full $1,000,000 was used for the Steering Committee’s assessment to qualify them for the third $1m to be included in the 2024/2025 Budget.

Mulipola admitted there were delays on the project and she urged the District Councils to work with her Ministry to ensure the smooth flow and quick operation of the remaining funding agreements.

Currently, 24 districts have signed the first tranche of their second $1m funds.

The Government is to seek the approval of $51 million tala the upcoming budget in June, to fund the third year of the Village Development Project for the direct funding of village based projects selected and approved by the District Councils.

The annual $1m tala for each of the 51 districts is an initiative of the FAST Government that decentralizes the determination and operation of village development projects prioritized by the districts, in order to push a uniform standard of living and development across the country.