Palauli le Falefa’s Member of Parliament, Faumuina Tiatia Liuga, says the constituency will meet in June to decide which village will host a consultation, which did not go ahead in April after the Government delegation – including two senior Members of Parliament - was asked to leave Gataivai, Savai’i.

The consultation being organised by the Ministry of Women, Community and Social Development is to discuss the rolling out of the Government’s District Development Plans.

Speaking to the Samoa Observer, Faumuina, a former Cabinet Minister said the constituency did not meet on Easter Monday to discuss the issue. He said the meeting has since been postponed until the Congregational Christian Church of Samoa’s (C.C.C.S.) Annual conference ends.

“We are waiting until the church meeting in Malua is finished then the constituency will meet to discuss which village will host the project again,” said Faumuina.

“I have just returned from Savai’i and I had met the elders and they have indicated to have the event hosted by Puleia or Sili. If they decide to have it in Gataivai so be it, I will go wherever the event will be hosted.”

Faumuina, who was among two senior M.Ps in the delegation, rejected claims the constituency is not getting any more assistance from the Government due to what happened last month. The other senior M.P. was Associate Minister Tofa Lio Foleni.  

But Faumuina admits that the rejection of the Government delegation is not a good look.

“It is telling if the constituency opposes, it is telling the government that they do not want developments. But we do not oppose development it is just one or two people that are spreading bad things.”

The Member of Parliament refused to name anyone.

Prime Minister Tuilaepa Dr. Sa’ilele Malielegaoi, in an interview with the TV1, defended the consultation saying it is for the benefit of constituencies.

Tuilaepa pointed out that the programme goes out to discuss and document priorities of constituencies to make it easier to secure funding from overseas donors for.

He emphasised that application for financial assistance from donors on constituencies development needs to be justified by presenting facts and other supporting documents.

Unless documents are presented to justify an application, the donors will not accept oral request, said Tuilaepa.

“The Government will not force villages or constituencies,” said the Prime Minister.

“If they don’t want it - that is fine. The government will take its assistance to other constituencies and they can just watch.”

Tuilaepa said Palauli le Falefa is the same constituency which rejected a Government project to construct a road for a water project there.

“If they refused then and refuse now then the government shouldn’t do anything there,” Tuilaepa said.

On Friday, the Government through M.W.C.S.D’s new Minister, Tuitama Dr. Leao Tuitama, launched District Development Plans for Falesaleleaga No.3, Gagaifomauga No. 3, Falealupo, Anoamaa i Sasae, Anoamaa i Sisifo and Falealili i Sasae.

The latest plans raise the number of DDP to 26 that have been launched out of 35 that have already been drafted.

“These plans are not developed for the sake of having one, but the culmination of the persistent and concerted efforts of the communities to permit the government and its partners within and outside of Samoa to see and be friendly with the real needs of our people particularly those who reside in our families and villages,” Tuitama said.

“We believe that having a plan being developed, implemented, monitored, managed, and owned by the community gives guarantee of developments’ sustainability.”