Evidence of waste of public funds has emerged from a debate ignited between Minister Mulipola Anarosa Ale-Molio'o and Peseta Vaifou Tevaga, Member of Parliament for Fa'asaleleaga No.5 regarding his suspension as the chair of his district council. 

Mulipola spoke as the Chairperson of the Steering Committee and the Minister for Women, Community, and Social Development (M.W.C.S.D.), overseeing the $1 million district development project. 

She informed the House that the decision to suspend Peseta stemmed from a written resolution by the district council, which had proposed removing Peseta as the Chair for one year, a recommendation that received support from the Steering Committee.

Mulipola suggested that if Tevaga disagreed with the decision, he could convene a meeting with the villages and district council to address his concerns and potentially seek reinstatement. 

Despite this, Peseta expressed dissatisfaction with the Minister's explanation.

He stood and responded to Mulipola, contesting that the resolution they supported lacked unanimity. 

He asserted that other members of the district council neither signed the letter nor agreed to the resolution she referenced. He continued by explaining that there have been internal conflicts within his constituency since the decision to remove him as Chair.

Peseta elaborated that the district office initially intended for the district council's operations and built with the allocated $200,000 has been abandoned. 

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

At this point, the Speaker of the House, Papali’i Li’o Ta’eu Masipau, interrupted and reminded Peseta that Parliament does not have jurisdiction to decide on matters concerning the district development project.

However, Sulamanaia Tauiliili Tuivasa, the Member of Parliament for Vaimauga No.1, then addressed the Speaker, emphasising the significant importance of the raised issue. 

He sought clarification on whether the district council possesses the authority to remove the chairman, given that guidelines stipulate the MP should chair the council. He requested an explanation on this matter, questioning whether the council could independently decide on the chairmanship contrary to ministry guidelines.

Similarly, Fuaava Suluimalo Amataga, the MP for Aleipata Itupa-i-Luga, echoed these concerns, emphasising that elected MPs appointed as district council chairs should be fully informed about all project matters in accordance with established guidelines.

Fuaava contended that during district investigations, MPs are often left uninformed by the Committee and tend to seek information from other committee members instead of the MP. 

Alai’asa Sepulona Moananu, another MP from the opposing side, also supported calls from his fellow opposition colleagues regarding the significant role played by district council Chairs.

Mulipola then spoke again, explaining that the Steering Committee has no intention of intervening in the decision-making of district councils. 

If district council members seek assistance from the Steering Committee regarding internal conflicts, they can step in to help resolve issues, if they affect the smooth implementation of proposed developments.

Still unsatisfied, Peseta took the floor once more and expressed to Mulipola that she did not understand his explanation. He argued that the decision lacked agreement from the three villages in his constituency and asserted that it had worsened matters within their community. 

Additionally, he claimed that the Steering Committee had favoured only one side from one village, disregarding the preferences of the entire district.