The compensation from the New Zealand Government to those still facing grave impacts to livelihoods from the sinking of the HMNZ Manawanui vessel off the reefs of Siumu, Tafitoala and the Safata districts in October 2024 is $10 million tala and the Prime Minister confirms this will be distributed directly towards families and businesses affected.
In his weekly press conference Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa Polataivao Fosi Schmidt said the funds would be paid out to all individuals and business owners affected by the disaster.
“Ua aumai le faaiuga a le komiti faapitoa na tofia e le kapeneta, ma o le a tufa i tagata taitoatasi le tupe..
“O lona uiga e faitau le aofai uma o tagata na aafia o Safata ma Siumu aemaise lava le pitonuu o Tafitoala lea sa pitosili ona pagātia.”
That means each individual affected would be counted, from the villages of Safata and Siumu and Tafitoala who bore the brunt of the impact, said Laaulialemalietoa.
The Prime Minister further added, that small businesses affected would also be compensated for loss of income..
These businesses have lost their customers and are facing financial loss because tourists and people have stopped coming to swim or surf in these parts of the ocean due to the smell and damage from the oil spillage, said the Prime Minister.
“Lona lua, o pisinisi sa aafia, i tulaga i fale turisi, ua le toe agai iai ni tagata, o le tulaga ua suāu’ua le sami ma manogi faaletonu, ma ua iai le tulaga lamatia i o latou mafaufau.
The Peime Minister says there will be funds paid directly to individuals and a compensation fund for small businesses including fishermen who relied on the ocean for basic income..
“O loo iai la le faamoemoe e ese faamanuiaga mo tagata taitoatasi, ese faamanuiaga mo pisinisi, ia faapea foi faamanuiaga mo tagata sa faalagolago i le sami.”
According to the 2021 cencus, more than 5000 individuals were recorded in Safata districts 1 and 2.
Safata 1 district there are about 528 households while Safata 2 district have 435 households and over 300 fishing households who rely on the ocean for their subsitence living and income.
Before the distribution of the funds Laaulialemalietoa said he has asked the Task Committee to hold a final consultation with the district so they are clear on the Government’s decision.
“Na ou fai i le komiti e toe agai tasi lava e toe talanoa ma le itumalo ma ta’u iai le tulaga ua taatia iai le finagalo o le Malo.
“E lelei lava le pasi atu a’o lo’o malilie ai le itumalo, ia ona faagasolo loa lea, ma e tatau ona vave, talosia ae tuli le faaiuga o lenei tausaga, ae a leai o lona uiga o le amataga o le tausaga fou e maua uma ai le fesoasoani e $10 miliona tala o le a faamatuu atu.”
The Prime Minister said he hopes it can be distributed before the end of the year but if not it would be at the beginning of next year that this $10 million tala would be distributed to the affected people of the districts.
Public Notices
b
