The Minister of Natural Resources and Environment has dismissed claims that the percentage of customary land in Samoa has decreased drastically over the years.

The claim was made by the M.P. for Aleipata Itupa-Lalo, Faleomavaega Titimaea Tafua in the parliament this week. 

Speaking during debate on the Supplementary Appropriation Bill 2021/2022, Faleomavaega claimed that in 1998 the Asian Development Bank (A.D.B.) reported that 81 per cent of land in Samoa was customary land. 

He then told the parliament that the percentage has dropped to 35 per cent and asked the Minister for an explanation.

But Minister Toeolesulusulu Cedric Schuster has disputed the claim and added that it is unsubstantiated. 

“So far only 1.5 per cent [of customary land] has been leased for different developments,” Toeolesulusulu said in an interview with the Samoa Observer outside of parliament. 

He added that there is no proof to support the claim that was made.

Since 2005 the A.D.B. provided technical assistance (TA) to the Samoa Government to consider issues and options in the context of making economic use of customary land.

Phase I of the report endorsed the option of permitting leases of customary land to be mortgaged and made various recommendations to implement such arrangements.

Phase II of the A.D.B. support resulted in the establishment of the Customary Land Advisory Commission (C.L.A.C.) to oversee future reforms. And Phase III focused on the legal issues and necessary reforms to bring the years of deliberation and consultation to conclusion.

Leasing customary land under the current Act prohibits some leases and licence for any agricultural or pastoral purposes to any Samoan who is not a holder of a matai title.

Furthermore, the Minister has the power to grant lease or licence of customary land if the grant is in accordance with Samoan custom and usage, the desire and interest of the beneficial owners of the land and the public interest.

In a recent interview with this newspaper, the Minister of Public Enterprises, Leatinuu Wayne So’oialo revealed plans to review land policies under the custody of the Samoa Land Corporation.

He added the plan is likely to include lands under the M.N.R.E. and proposals to have one committee to oversee lands nationally. 

Leatinuu said because there are many different land commissions it has created confusion amongst the Government entities on various recommendations from the committees.

Asked about reforms to merge the land commissions including that of the Ministry, Toeolesulusulu said he will address the matter when the Government responds in the parliament debate.

One of the policies advocated by the Fa’atuatua ile Atua Samoa ua Tasi (F.A.S.T.) party during its roadshow last year was to assess lands that are economically idle to be returned to communities for economic use.