The Government of Samoa has rejected suggestions that the District Development Programme is facing financial difficulties or has run out of money.
In an official release, the Government said recent media publications and public commentary had created speculation about the financial position of the District Development Programme, also known as the D.D.P.
“The Government wishes to assure the people of Samoa that these suggestions are incorrect,”
Government of Samoa statement.
According to the Government, the programme continues to operate as intended, with funding still available and being released under the required funding agreements, Government policies, approved project processes, and the law.
The Government said the programme remains one of its priority initiatives and continues to support district-led development projects across Samoa.
The clarification comes after public discussion around correspondence relating to overdraft facilities sought by some District Councils from commercial banks.
The Government said it was important for the public to understand the difference between Government funding for the District Development Programme and separate financial arrangements made by District Councils.
District Councils are separate legal entities and are responsible for managing their own affairs and financial arrangements. The Government said some councils had approached it for support letters to help with bank applications for overdraft facilities.
However, any decision to apply for an overdraft facility remains a matter between the District Council and its bank.
“The assessment, approval, and terms of any such facility remain matters for the relevant bank and the applicant District Council,”
Government of Samoa statement.
The Government said the correspondence being discussed publicly was only intended as a letter of support for specific District Councils that had requested assistance with their applications.
It said the letter should not be interpreted as evidence that the District Development Programme is under financial pressure, or that Government funding for the programme is unavailable.
The Government said it remains committed to ensuring that projects under the programme are implemented responsibly, transparently, and for the benefit of communities throughout Samoa.
It also encouraged the public to rely on verified information from official Government sources and not on speculation or assumptions about the financial position of the programme.
The official release was issued by the Press and Communication Division of the Ministry of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.
