Member of Parliament for Falealupo, Aeau Tima Leavaiseeta, has criticised what she described as a growing government control over district councils or fono faavae and said the councils were created to support constituency development, not to operate like state-owned enterprises.
Speaking in Parliament on Wednesday, Aeau said the district councils, or fono faavae, were established to support development within constituencies, including agriculture, farms, road works, schools, health, sports, and other community projects.
However, she said the system has now become problematic. Aeau said the district councils are now being treated almost like "SOEs" or state-owned enterprises, with the government appearing to "take charge" of their operations.
“Back off authority,” she said while adding, "leave it with the fono faavae." She said the councils are no longer acting for their constituencies, but are instead listening to the government.
“The government says something, and they jump to it,” she said. Aeau used the government’s recent use of the $150 back-to-school grant as an example, saying the money was to be used by the district councils for other development priorities.
