A new township in Mulifanua area outside Apia could soon be established under a "master plan" to utilise 6,500 acres of land belonging to the Samoa Trust Estate Corporation (STEC). 

The township is part of the corporation's master plan with the possibility of hotels in the north-western tip of the island in close proximity to the Faleolo International Airport and the Mulifanua wharf. 

A Cabinet directive suggested for the corporation to design a master plan for the utilisation of 6,500 acres of land in Mulifanua owned by the STEC. 

The STEC Chief Executive Officer, Patea Loli Malo Setefano, was contacted by the Samoa Observer for a comment in regards to the master plan. In response to an email query, he said he cannot divulge any information about the master plan until it is implemented, then he can reply accordingly.  

A Parliamentary Committee report into the First Supplementary Estimates 2018/2019 made reference to the master plan. 

“The Committee again raised the corporation’s plans in utilising the lands under STEC such as lands at Mulifanua,” stated the report. 

“The management disclosed a Cabinet directive being issued to design a master plan for utilisation of 6,500 acres land. 

“The Committee questioned the corporation for other means of revenue in order to sustain and fund its annual projects, and particularly for staff salaries. STEC responded that more revenues will be collected from land leases as well as donor projects from the private sector.”

The corporation owns approximately 8,177 acres of land at Mulifanua. 

According to the STEC Annual Report for June 30, 2016 to June 30, 2017 approximately 500 acres of land has been cultivated for developments; 595 acres have been allocated to lease agreement already signed, 500 acres allocated to crops development as of June 2017 and total number of available acres stands at 7082. 

The corporation as a lessor leases out acres of land at Mulifanua to companies and Government ministries at a rate of $2,875 (VAGST inclusive) per acre annually. 

Schools and villages also lease land from the corporation at a much lower rate of $115 (VAGST inclusive) per acre annually, stated the annual report. 

“The terms and conditions of the lease is for 20 years with the right to renew after 20 years. Lease agreements are reviewed every five years by management. The amount of acres leased out ranges from 200 acres to 0.5 acres annually.”