The Government is aware of recent media publications and commentary which have given rise to speculation and inferences that the District Development Programme [‘D.D.P.’] is experiencing financial difficulties or has run out of funding.
The Government wishes to assure the people of Samoa that these suggestions are incorrect.
The District Development Programme continues to operate as intended and is not facing any financial difficulties. Government funding for the Programme remains available and continues to be disbursed in accordance with the applicable Funding Agreements, Government policies, approved project processes, and the law.
The Programme remains a priority initiative of the Government and continues to support district-led development projects throughout Samoa.
Recent commentary appears to relate to correspondence concerning overdraft facilities sought by certain District Councils from commercial banks. It is important that the public understands the distinction between the Government and District Councils in these arrangements.
District Councils are separate legal entities responsible for the management of their own affairs and financial arrangements. As part of their own planning and project implementation, someDistrict Councils approached the Government seeking support for applications they wished to make directly to their respective banks for overdraft facilities.
Any decision by a District Council to apply for an overdraft facility is a matter for that District Council and its banking institution. The assessment, approval, and terms of any such facility remain matters for the relevant bank and the applicant District Council.
The correspondence that has been the subject of recent discussion was intended only as a letter of support for specific District Councils that had requested assistance with their applications. It should not be interpreted as evidence that the District Development Programme is under financial pressure, nor should it be interpreted as indicating that Government funding for the Programme is unavailable.
The Government continues to release funding under the District Development Programme in accordance with approved processes and remains committed to ensuring that projects are implemented responsibly, transparently, and for the benefit of communities throughout Samoa.
The public is encouraged to rely on verified information from official Government sources and not on speculation or assumptions regarding the financial position of the Programme.
The Government remains confident in the continued operation and success of the DistrictDevelopment Programme and looks forward to seeing further projects delivered for the benefit of our districts and communities.
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