The Lepa M.P. Tuilaepa Sa'ilele Malielegao is happy an impasse over the disbursement of the constituency's SAT$1 million District Development Project grant has been resolved.

Fronting the media on Friday and responding to questions from this newspaper, the former prime minister and current Opposition Leader said they are now waiting for the grant to finance their proposed plans within the constituency. 

Over a week ago the members of the Lepa district council committee together with the steering committee signed an agreement to draw down SAT$150,000 which equated to 15 per cent of the grant. 

The signing came on the back of a meeting early last month between the district council committee and the steering committee to resolve issues over accessing the grant. 

According to Tuilaepa, they are relieved that they can now use the funds for the proposed plans they have to develop the constituency. 

"We are happy and relieved," said the veteran politician. "It's time we move forward and look at utilising this grant that has been allocated and passed by the Legislative Assembly to further develop our districts and country."

Emphasising the need to communicate effectively and having an open mind to understand issues, the M.P. also talked about the need to be transparent and "do the right thing". 

"When we discuss issues, we tend to understand where we are with things and once we understand one another and be transparent about everything, no one will ever complain. 

"We have moved on from this obstacle and we can all learn from what happened. We should not accept something that is flawed. We have the right to question it, deliberate on matters, and voice our concerns about certain situations. 

"Your perspective can also help the other people who are involved so there's an improvement. We are happy that we have finally signed the agreement, all that's left now is to wait for our money so we can start using it for the projects we had already proposed."

At the signing two Fridays ago, the Minister for Women, Community and Social Development, Mulipola Anarosa Ale-Molioo made it clear that the investigation into the use of the initial SAT$200,000 establishment fund remains ongoing. 

She pointed out that despite many questions over issues pertaining to the use of the initial start-up grant, the Steering Committee felt it should release the second tranche of funding while the investigation continues. 

The SAT$150,000 grant will cover the salary of three executive officers for the district council office as well as pay committee members' allowances, and the lease and cater for the needs of the office, according to Mulipola. 

She added that the steering committee has resolved that the lease for district councils should be SAT$2,000 annually.

“Five working days are required before the funds will be available in the district’s accounts. A reminder we only have one more month left before the end of this year and we must work together with guidance from the Steering Committee and district council to push through the proposed developments.”  

One of the main issues raised by the steering committee with Lepa was the payment of SAT$96,000 which was divided amongst three sub-villages of the district for the leasing of the Lepa EFKS-owned building. 

The committee has argued that the disbursement of that funding by the district council committee to the villages of Lepa – as part of the lease payment – did not allegedly comply with the guidelines of the grant.