$250,000 was distributed amongst the village of Sasina as a result of the lease agreement signed by the Village Council and a company called USO from China for the nonu juice development.
This is the 3rd year of the lease for the nonu, and each year the village receives the same amount for 120 years.
In an interview with the Member of Parliament for Sasina, La’aulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Schmidt he said the village is benefiting from this.
“This is the 3rd year we have this benefit from leasing our land and the village has agreed to give out 500 acres to the company to grow a commercialised nonu farm,” he said.
“The aim is to create employment for our village community and also produce nonu juice to be part of Samoan export.
“So today is a remarkable day for us and this is an annual payment agreed upon all parties involved.
“We plan a lease of 120 years but it is subdivided into 30 year sections so we have a safety valve because we cannot live for 100 and which ever generation will come around at that time they will have to decide on whether to continue this or not.”
According to a village matai Seve Avalua Panapa the distribution of the money will go towards the matai for their families, womens committee as well as the untitled men, taulealea.
He went on to say that some families have used the money to rebuild their homes and some have bought cattle to start livestock farms from this money.
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