The guideline to regulate the implementation of the $1 million tala District Development Project is currently being reviewed says the Minister for Women, Community and Social Development Mulipola Anarosa Ale-Molio'o.

She confirmed this in response to queries from the media this week, saying the disbursement of the second $51 million tala under the district development project is on hold awaiting the review. 

The Steering Committee is tasked to review the initial guideline used for the implementation of the first $51 million tala, taking into consideration all the challenges encountered and presented by the respective district councils across Samoa. 

Mulipola elaborated that the challenges varied from district to district and that there was a major difference in priority areas for each district.

She explained that the priority areas for districts within the rural areas were different from those within the urban areas. 

Mulipola said once the review is completed, they will present it to the Cabinet for deliberation before it is finalised for the rollout of the next $51 million tala grant. 

"So, at the moment, we are reviewing it before it is presented to the Cabinet for consideration," Mulipola said. 

"We have looked at all the challenges encountered by the different districts as well as possible solutions and strategies to address those challenges moving forward. 

"Like anything else in life, any new project will have some teething problems and the good thing is that we have identified these problems and discussed ways in which we can address it. 

"We also identified the priority areas for the different districts and try to include all the different districts' needs and wants."

She then elaborated on some of the things the districts have asked for in their development plans. 

"Some have requested to buy excavators and those heavy machinery," Mulipola said. 

"But for those requests, we need to look at the capacity of the respective district to own an excavator. Because if you buy one, there are additional maintenance and insurance costs. 

"We also need to ensure that there are qualified people within the districts to handle and use the excavator for the infrastructure works they intend to do. 

"Another option is to see whether there is a contractor or construction company within the district to avoid buying big and heavy machinery because it's costly. 

"Others have proposed investing some of the funds they get at the Unit Trust of Samoa so they can earn profit from it. 

"So we are considering all those options and requests."

Mulipola also explained that a few districts are being investigated for breaching the guidelines and funding agreements.