Government lifts ban on Fa’asalelelaga 2 District Development Project

By Lagi Keresoma & Jeannie Penehuro/

Apia, SAMOA – 8 April 2026: The Government has lifted the ban on Fa’asaleleaga 2 District Development Project with the assurance to move forward amicably for the benefit of the district.

The Prime Minister and Cabinet met with over fifty chiefs, orators, women and young men of the Fa’asalelelaga 2 yesterday morning and sorted things out after 4 months of waiting as the Prime Minister gave them time to make its decision.

“If there were mistakes and wrongs of yesterday, today is a new beginning, a fresh start filled with hope and possibilities,” said Laauli.

He conveyed Cabinets gratitude towards the district for taking the time to meet as is with the common tradition of consultation – soalepule.

The apology
Tofilau Taua led the Fa’asaleleaga 2 delegation that took the first morning ferry from Savaii Island to the meeting and he extended an apology on behalf of the district.

He acknowledged past tensions and the delay on their part in settling their internal differences and they have also been seeking a way to meet with the Government.

Tofilau made a figurative reference to “a torn sail” to describe the districts relationship with the government since defamatory words were made against the Prime Minister and the government by one of their chiefs who did not take part in yesterday’s meeting.

“Aisea? Ua masaesae le la fala, ua masaesae le la afa ma le faigamalo,” said Tofilau.

He referred to the late Prime Minister Tofilau Eti Alesana, a high chief of the Fa’asaleleaga 2 district and the last Prime Minister from Savaii that Laauli and his district fully supported, but now with Laauli as Prime Minister, different opinions and feelings have created barriers.

“Let me do something for my district,” said Tofilau. “The derogatory remarks made towards the Prime Minister were also directed at the Government and Samoa, and today, we apologise,” said Tofilau.

The Prime Minister immediately intervened asking Tofilau not to revisit the past and to let the spirit of Easter celebrated in the weekend as the guide for the future relationship between the district and the government.

The Prime Minister and Cabinet Ministers with some members of the Faasaleleaga 2 district delegation after the reconciliation.

Then in a gesture of gratitude and their appreciation of acceptance by the government, Fa’asaleleaga 2 then presented traditional fa’aaloaloga of fine mats and money to the Prime Minister and Cabinet who also reciprocated through financial donations for the district.

Tofilau Taua also made known that their Member of Parliament could not make it as he is away overseas but has not stopped the district from implementing their decision.

Faasaleleaga 2 signs $1.8m Funding Agreement
A tangible highlight of the meeting was the signing of the Funding Agreements by the Districts Development Committee headed by the Chairperson of the $1.8m for the district projects as well as the education grant under the One Government Grant to assist the schools in the district.

Out of the $1.8m, the district will be paid the $150 Back to School for all constituents through the district council.

The Prime Minister reminded the Fa’asaleleaga 2 Chairman, Magele Sekati Fiaui that the Chairman role can be challenging but vital, urging him to seek innovative ways to uplift the district and to serve with honesty and integrity.

Background to the ban
On the 11 February 2025, Cabinet approved the discontinuation of the Fa’asaleleaga 2 District Development Project after they failed to honour an agreement with the Government.

Faasaleleaga 2 has 8 sub-villages and there had been a long standing issue over the appointment of former Member of Parliament Magele Sekati as the Chairman of the project on the belief that Magele was found guilty of corrupt practices by the Court prior to the general election last year.

The Government however was of the view that the Court did not find Magele guilty of any corrupt practices but the timing the development project fund was used to build the district hall.

In late January, several district representatives led by Tofilau Lino met with the Prime Minister over the issue.

Laauli told the delegation then to return and seek a solution through consultation – soalepule, then meet the Government again when they come to a decision.

However, on 6 February 2026, instead of returning to inform the Prime Minister of their decision, Tofilau Lino voiced their stance at the HRPP public meeting where he issued derogatory words and threatened the Prime Minister.

That challenge resulted in the ban that was lifted during yesterday’s meeting and opened the door for the district to receive government funds under the District Development Project.