Three more districts have joined 21 others that signed a funding agreement to access the second disbursement of the $1 million tala grant for villages.  

Representatives from Vaisigano No.1, Satupaitea and Fa’asaleleaga No.1 attended the signing agreement ceremony held at the To’oa Salamasina Hall this week. 

The districts have submitted their audited reports on the first $1 million and have satisfied all criteria, moving to the next stage to the disbursement of $160,000 (16 per cent) of the second million. 

The $160,000 is intended for the operation of the district council office. 

Minister of Women Community and Social Development (M.W.C.S.D.), Mulipola Anarosa Ale-Molioo reminded M.P.s chairing the project to comply with guidelines for the development. 

She said the Ministry can be contacted if they need clarification about the project. 

Mulipola said before the $840,000 can be released the district has to submit their annual plan and budget for the committee’s review and approval and have a one-on-one consultation between the district council and the steering committee. 

The first $420,000 tranche will be released in March and should have an acquittal report delivered to the Committee by June. 

The second tranche will be released tentatively in June with another acquittal and audited report for the full $1 million. 

The M.P. for Vaisigano No.1, Niuava Eti Malolo said he will be heading back to his district to ask villages on areas of priorities for their district plan. 

He referred to guidelines from the Ministry that set out percentages of some of the priority areas such as agriculture, health and education. 

Niuava added the M.P. and district council do not dictate plans and have to go out to the villages to discuss and consult them on their priorities to reflect in the development plan. 

In total, 24 districts have signed the funding agreement for the second million.