The first year of any project which aims to improve the lives of people is always an important one. This is when the foundation is laid and this will have bearing on the longevity of the project and in the case of Samoa, it is the District Development Grants.

It is also good to see that so far $43 million of the first initial $51 million tala  grant for the District Development Project has already been disbursed to the respective districts across the country.

This was confirmed by the Minister for the Ministry of Community and Social Development (M.W.C.S.D.), Mulipola Anarosa Ale-Molio'o during a press conference on Thursday.

According to Mulipola, of the 51 districts, there are three districts experiencing some difficulties internally and also in getting the approval from the ministry on getting the last portion of funds for their plans.

The other 48 have progressed well with the implementation of their plans.

The initiative aims to improve sustainable development in district communities to acquire improved livelihoods and better social economic outcomes to the benefit of vulnerable groups and overall district development. Through the Ministry of Women, Community and Social Development, it is the Government's vision that communities proactively lead the implementation of sustainable development initiatives relevant to their community priorities.  

The Government identified five major guidelines for the project and it includes development opportunities for everyone and reduction of poverty, health development, education development, good governance and business development within villages and districts.

Data collected by the ministry highlights that the development of agriculture was the top priority for most districts across the country. Second to agriculture was education and health.  Other priority areas included social welfare, tourism, environment and sports.

In the press conference on Thursday, Mulipola also pointed out a very important thing. The lack of skilled people employed by the district councils in spearheading and putting together reports and submitting them to the ministry and committee was a major issue.

The ministry addressed this issue by assisting the officials and conducting training on how to compile reports.

The district councils have employed people they know and in some manner it is nepotism. This has led to problems in the administrative side of things for the grant. While the ministry is providing training and since the Government is paying for the salary of people employed in the district office, get capable people.

There would be qualified and educated youth, untitled men and women who would be better suited and skilled enough to carry on the responsibilities in the office. There are some districts for whom the grant has been temporarily suspended. This is mostly the effect of poor administration.

It is understandable that in many cases it is ‘jobs for the boys’, but it should not be. The project is designed in a manner that it should be transparent and accountable and it will not happen if the reports and records are being mismanaged. Perhaps an area that needs improvement by hiring the right people for the job and not the right people who will stand by the party.

The three districts which have yet to receive the last portion of funding are sorting out some issues. Mulipola said the Steering Committee will meet on Monday to discuss the fate of those offices.

The district councils include Fa'asaleleaga No.5., A'ana Alofi No.2. and Gagaifomauga No.1.

There are lots of internal conflicts that hindered the progress of the projects. The ministry and Steering Committee tried to stay away from interfering as they hoped the councils would solve their internal problems on their own.  

The math has been done, each district receives around $5 million in a span of five years and this money should be spent on improving lives through sound capital investments. For that to happen the district councils need to function similar to a private company or a good government department.

The grants can pave the way for many underpriviledged children to finish school and get better education, improve the health of many in the village and start business ventures which will profit all in the district.

That can only be achieved by good and sound management of the district offices otherwise it is just a waste of taxpayers’ money. Hire the right people and the job will be done properly.