Salega No.1 was amongst the four constituencies that signed the funding agreement to access the second $1 million development grant on Thursday despite legal action connected to the grant use. 

Other districts that are now eligible to receive $160,000 from the second million disbursement for administration of the district council committee are; Aana Alofi No.2, Lepa and Sagaga No.3. 

Meanwhile, the district council of Salega No.1 has taken a builder to court not constructing their administration office even after being paid $108,000 over a year ago.

Separately, representatives from the district had recently sought the removal of their Member of Parliament from chairing the $1 million project due to dissatisfaction over the project's progress. 

However, the Chairperson for the Steering Committee and Minister of Women Community and Social Development (M.W.C.S.D.), Mulipola Anarosa Ale – Molioo said there are lessons to be taken from the issues arising from Salega No.1. 

Mulipola confirmed representatives from Salega district did not meet with her and have not submitted a formal letter regarding the removal of their M.P. as chairperson to commence the Ministry’s process. 

She said she met with the M.P. for Salega No.1 querying the contract in question with the builder and was informed there was a resolution from the district council about the work and deposit. 

“The only issue here is releasing the funds before any work was done, it should’ve been released in portions instead of full payment,” she pointed out. 

“They have followed up on the builder who was in American Samoa and there is a case before the court. 

“An update provided by the M.P. is the builder has accepted that he used the funds [$108k] and agreed to pay back the money.”

The Minister was cautious as there is a legal proceeding and noted an audited report has identified the funding in question and an investigation is underway. 

“The most important thing is the M.P. and the district council admitted they were at fault and had trusted this person,” she added. 

“These challenges are useful lessons not only for those chairing but also the district council in terms of releasing major funds…what’s also important here is there was a signed contract.”  

Mulipola said the Salega No.1 funding in question is also on hold and under investigation, while rolling out of the development grant will not be affected.

The current legal lawsuit was initiated by the Salega No.1 district council against contractor and builder, KJA Contractor, Afualo Lelea Fauatea alleging breach of contract for not building the district administration office. 

The district had already deposited $108,000 (90percent) of the construction project to the builder in January 2023 but to date he did not carry out the work. 

According to a statement of claim the builder was doing work in American Samoa and the Salega No.1 M.P., Fepuleai Faimata Sua travelled to the territory to tell him to return to Samoa to start the project but has failed to do so. 

In the meantime, Salega No.1 district council has been utilising an office in a district school since 2021. 

M.P. Fepuleai did not want to comment about a proposal from representatives of his district to have him removed as the chairperson for the $1 million project. 

He noted the meeting was with the Chairman of Fa’atuatua ile Atua Samoa ua Tasi (F.A.S.T.), La’auli Leuatea Schmidt so they [district] can get a better understanding of matters at issue. 

“As you can see the district came today to sign the million [project] and we conversed, there’s nothing wrong,” assured the M.P.

“There is nothing to be concerned of, the matter has been resolved and discussed about the district council office and the ongoing disbursement of funds shows that nothing is wrong.”

Fepuleai continued to say that the first $1 million was focused on education, health, farming and fisheries and the second $1 million will continue to prioritise those areas.