A total of $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. 

She added that a total of 50 districts have already set up district offices and have already appointed officials. 

The only district that has yet to establish an office within the constituency is Fa'asaleleaga No.5. in Savai'i. 

Mulipola explained that once they establish and open an office, they will get the other allocation of funds, left from the first $51 million tala grant. 

For the three districts which have yet to receive the last portion of fundings 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.

Mulipola confirmed that 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. 

Land lease was one of the main challenges, districts faced in implementing their plans and this caused the delay for the disbursement of funds to most districts. 

The lack of skilled people employed by the district councils in spearheading and putting together reports and submitting it to the ministry and committee was another major issue. 

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

"The real aim is to equip and enable our people at the community level to be the ones to lead and guide the developments and contribute to the economy of the country as an also their families," Mulipola said,

Mulipola said there were a lot of internal conflicts that hindered the progress of the projects. She clarified that the ministry and Steering Committee tried to stay away from interfering as they hoped the councils to solve their internal problems on their own.