The disappearance of $50,000 from Aana Alofi No.1 shows yet again the lack of transparency and accountability when using the $1 million district grant. This was an alleged withdrawal of the constituency's $50,000 investment deposited at the Unit Trust of Samoa (UTOS).

Member of parliament Fesolai Apulu Tuigamala has admitted withdrawing the funds, but he explained that it was used for projects because there was a delay in the release of funds from the government. Now the district is taking its member of parliament to court. The MP was taken to task in a village meeting and told to pay a penalty of $50,000, which he refused.

This case has similar connotations with Fa'asaleleaga No.2, where MP Magele Sekati Fiaui denied any involvement in the missing $175,000 and of late, the Ministry of Finance has said the money was used elsewhere. No evidence has been provided by the ministry, and neither have the financial reports of the district council been disclosed, raising further questions about transparency and accountability when it comes to district grants.

For the Aana Alofi No.1 constituency, there seems to be a momentum building up that could lead to the banishment of the MP. If this happens, it would make an interesting predicament for the general elections. The district’s $50,000 investment with the Unit Trust of Samoa was discovered to have been withdrawn without their knowledge. This is a very serious matter.

Following the meeting, the senior matai of the district, Sauvao Taueva Faafouina, said the MP and executive officer of the district council committee were given a monetary penalty for their involvement in the alleged withdrawal of the fund. He said the MP was fined $50,000 and the executive officer was given a $20,000 penalty to be paid by the end of the day.

The lack of accountability shown by the MP is a disrespect to his constituency, the government, and the people of Samoa. Being in parliament is not a privilege but an honour bestowed by the people who voted him in. He should return that by being accountable, explaining himself and doing the right thing.

This issue deals with public funds, money that belongs to the people of this country; therefore, an investigation should be done in a manner that the public is constantly updated, in a truly transparent manner and with urgency.

This is not a private company, this is the Government of Samoa. $50,000 of public funds has gone missing, and there seems to be no urgency from the people leading the government. It is time to get the police involved. The Crimes Act Section 47 is very clear on this if this is the case.

What the people of Aana Alofi No.1 want to know is what the authorities will do now. Will they trigger an investigation and involve the police in this? The MP has claimed that he had written to the Ministry of Women, Community and Social Development, but did not inform the district council. That excuse does not justify the withdrawal of the $50,000 from UTOS. The MP has to provide everyone, including every child in this nation, with evidence and a breakdown of where the money was used, if it was used for the constituency.

It will also be right if the government and the party he represents suspend him. That is a big ask, given the lack of transparency and accountability shown by political parties in this country. When a public servant is being investigated, he or she is suspended with either full or half-pay. The same rule should apply to the MP. The Prime Minister should suspend the MP and order an investigation by the police or forensic audit specialists to see where the money went.

If the findings warrant charges, then they must be done immediately. The failure of the leaders to follow this path indicates the lack of accountability present in the system. Is this going to be the legacy of this government? A legacy of a lack of accountability and transparency.

This is when the leaders of this nation need to step up and do the right thing.