Only 18 months or a year and a half remain for the next general elections. There is also one more national budget left. This also leaves the government just that much time to distribute the remainder of the $5 million of the district grants.

Some districts have just been given $2 million. For many more than $3 million remains unutilised. There is more inclination that this will now be a lump sum. This is a dangerous thing to do. There has been very little control over the use of the money given to the districts.

It is cause for concern and the Opposition Leader Tuilaepa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi has rightfully described it as perplexing and potentially problematic.

"We are very cautious and baffled by how the initial grants have been divided into small portions while the Minister has announced that the remaining grants will be issued as a lump sum," Tuilaepa stated.

He raised serious questions about the intentions behind this approach, suggesting it could be interpreted as a form of bribery aimed at influencing voter behaviour in favour of the ruling party, as it will be distributed closer to the General Election in 2026.

Evidence of blatant misuse of the $1 million emerged in a parliamentary sittin in a debate between Minister Mulipola Anarosa Ale-Molio'o and Peseta Vaifou Tevaga, Member of Parliament for Fa'asaleleaga No.5.

The MP had concerns regarding his suspension as the chair of his district council. This led to the revelation that the district office initially intended for the district council's operations and built with the allocated $200,000 was abandoned.

He claimed that the council was now renting a different office and using project funds for rent, calling it a wasteful use of the $200,000.

This shows that some district councils think this is money that they can use as they see fit. This also puts into question the remittances done for the money given to the district council. The lack of transparency and accountability is glaring the authorities right in the face.

Forensic audit should be extended to the reports from each district council. It is a mystery why the reports for the first tranche of the district grant are yet to be made public. Remember this is not money out of someone’s personal bank account. These are public funds.

The people of this nation have a right to know how this money is being used. This money is for development. It is for the betterment of the people, to send children to school, to build better roads, to equip people with tools to improve their lives, and to invest in projects that would make income for the district.

Instead, the money was used to purchase land belonging to family members of some MP or even the MPs land to construct district offices. In one case, an allotment of the fund has just vanished into thin air.

Make the reports public, and show the people of this nation how transparent and accountable the district councils have been. The government also lacks the bite to hold people who have misused the funds or those who have not followed the guidelines, accountable.

What are the authorities scared of? Are MPs scared to lose their seats instead of doing the right thing? Corruption and abuse of funds can turn into a nasty culture. The youth and children who see their leaders doing this will feel no remorse for doing it themselves.

Becoming a leader in any context, either elected or bestowed is not about serving self but others.

The reports from each of these district councils on how they used the public funds given to them would give everyone an idea of how the money can be used for better things.

It would be great to see how many of the district councils decided to use the money to pay their teachers better or in line with the government salary scales. People want to know how many used the funds to make education free for children in their constituencies.

There is a need to know how many district councils provided bus fares for children to reach school and how many invested in a bus so people in rural and remote communities could access public transportation.

Did any of the farming constituencies invest in tractors or agricultural equipment that would help farmers have a bigger yield? We as a nation need more agricultural products in our market. How many district councils invested in projects that would make money and help everyone in the district?

Have there been any chilling stations built for villages next to the sea and boats purchased so more people could earn from fisheries? We are an island nation surrounded by the sea yet the bounties from the ocean are not being used.

It would also be good to know if the funds were used to help families get access to electricity and water. The funds could have easily been used to make solar farms and connect homes to them. This would have reduced the burden on so many families and also helped the nation achieve its renewable energy goal.

The idea behind the district development grants is undoubtedly a good one. Villages and districts can get work done without having the bureaucratic red tape. However, this fund is of no use if it is not utilised for things that would not be an investment.

This is not free money that can be splashed around. If that is the view of some people, then divert the money to improve the hospitals, pay the teachers and nurses, and make better roads.

Some constituencies have used the money wisely but most have gone to waste. The government needs to make the usage of these funds public knowledge for the sake of transparency and accountability.

With all these, is it good to give the rest of the grant in a lump sum?