Apia villagers receive $30,000 worth of tools

By Jotham Ulutoa 11 October 2019, 12:00PM

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (M.N.R.E.) and Green Climate Fund have handed over $30,000 worth of tools to villagers in Apia.

The equipment will assist the villagers keep their water streams clear of debris during the rainy season.

The Ministry's Chief Executive Officer Ulu Bismarck Crawley and the Green Climate Fund Project Manager Pisaina Leilua Lei Sam presented the equipment on Thursday after a signing ceremony.


Ulu said he looked forward to the day as it was planned in advance and he thanked the village for their patience with the Government finally delivering. 

“Today's presentation is a request of the village from the village mayor Tuletufuga Tuimatafele Fritz Tuiavii and the village council for our help,” he said. 

“When the Ministry observation team came to the village, and they knew that the people here know what affects them in time of heavy rain weather, when the water streams are blocked.

The provision of tools and equipment to the village will ensure the village’s water streams are kept clean and clear of debris”. 

Pisaina said it is her hope that the villagers will use the tools and equipment wisely for their intended purpose. 

“This project is one of the biggest projects of the Government to help the villagers who face these issues of waterways and streams,” she said.  


Besides the donated tools and equipment, signboards were also handed over. The equipment included sets of chainsaws, shovels, gumboots, wheelbarrows and rubbish bins.

Village Mayor, Tuletufuga Tuimatafele Fritz Tuiavi, told the media that the request for assistance was put to the M.N.R.E. eight months ago. 

“I first thank God now we have received some equipment and tools to help the village to clean the waterways, because when the village clean activities (happened) the people come with their own tools. But we have these tools and equipment,” he said.

The tools and equipment will be put under the care of the village council chief and will be brought out for use whenever there is a community-cleaning programme.

By Jotham Ulutoa 11 October 2019, 12:00PM

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