General Manager of Samoa Land Corporation, Afoa Arasi Tiotio, says there is no new deadline being given to residents of Sogi to move inland.
She was speaking about a meeting held last Friday with residents.
The meeting was “all about making them understand some of the important issues of why the government wants them to move.”
“Especially to families who are still living at Sogi.”
Afoa confirmed that they have not issued any deadline to those at Sogi. She said government would continue to allow time for the families to move from the area, a major tourism and administrative location.
“Whenever they agree to move, the land is always there waiting for them.”
Her comments contrast with complaints from residents in the past, saying they felt pressured to move quickly.
“We are explaining it slowly to those who still residing at Sogi and they are, slowly, moving to Falelauniu,” she said. Sogi residents confirm a much softer approach to getting families to move from the area to Falelauniu.
An elder of Sogi residents, Lauano Iona, said that his family agreed with what the government said about moving them to the Falelauniu subdivision.
“Our family have nearly all relocated to Falelauniu but we are still here for our own reasons.
“If the government forces us then,” he shrugs, “we will leave as soon as possible.
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“Myself and my four children now live at Falelauniu and to my own understanding the Land Corporation is still discussing the issue with families that still don’t want to move.”
Mr. Iona said he understood both sides of the discussions - why some families did not want to move, and why government insists they do.
“They are right in some ways that this land is where they and we all grew up on but what they must look at now are the impacts of the change in climate.”
“As you can see now, the whole area is covered with mud and water during the rainy season, which is not a good environment to live in.”
He said he was only back at Sogi for the meeting between the corporation and residents.
Prime Minister Tuilaepa has long been adamant that relocation is in the best interests of the people of Sogi.
Speaking about the issue during a Parliament session three years ago, Tuilaepa said the standard of living for residents of Sogi will improve if they relocate.
“There is not enough land to grow crops for families to rely on,” Tuilaepa said at the time.
“The only importance of land located inside town (like Sogi) is that it is convenient for transport.”
More than 10 acres have been allocated to the 33 Sogi families to shift to, each getting a quarter acre to buy, Tuilaepa said at the time.
“This will benefit them,” said the Prime Minister.
“There is now bigger land to grow food in.”
More recently, families have reported getting $3,000 compensation for relocation, but having to pay $30,000 for quarter acre plots of land.
Despite giving warnings to Sogi residents about climate change and sea level rise, government continues to approve its own buildings along the low lying Mulinu'u peninsula, including plans for refurbishment of Parliament.
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