Local herd of cattle
By Staff Writer
Reports of a 400-acre cattle farm South of Upon Is. at Togitogiga, gifted to the American Samoa Government, is turning into a major embarrassment for the two Samoas.
While the American Samoa Senate is already officially informed of the generous gift, a surprised PM Fiame Naomi Mataafa, trashed the offer as ‘fake news’ in Parliament on Friday.
The Ministry of Agriculture also circulated a rushed statement in denial to stir more shock into what has become an outrage.
How this scandalous turn of events came about and who is to blame continues to deepen the mystery of rattling unease.
Former PM Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, wanted answers after learning that the American Samoa Senate was told of the land offer.
Despite the run of denials from Government, the opposition leader in his weekly ‘Letter to the Editor’ alleged the “…Minister of Agriculture, La’auli Leuatea Schmidt, was identified as the chief contact from the Government of Samoa.” ( See Letter To The Editor)
American Samoa media reports quoted comments from the Director of Agriculture, Solid Mutini “….the territory doesn’t have enough land for any large scale cattle farm, and the Samoa Government has provided the acreage necessary for this new development.”
Mutini reportedly said the gesture is “… to ensure food security for the territory” and “…there’s no lease agreement for the acreage of the cattle farm land, which he described as prime land in the Falealili District.”
The Samoa Ministry of Agriculture CEO Dr. Seuseu Tauati, however, claimed in a signed media statement that his Ministry has “…offered 5 cattle and 5 sheep, to bolster animal production in American Samoa.”
“ Regarding the animal farm at Togitogiga that is operated by MAF, there have been no formal agreements, including any lease arrangements made with Am. Samoa,” Dr. Tauati denied in his media statement.
He did confirm that the Ministry “…. provided 600 giant clams along with pertinent training to support food security initiatives.
“Additionally, we have offered tilapia to be supplied to American Samoa upon their readiness to receive them.”
Whether the scandal will affect ‘Atoa o Samoa’ talks between the Samoa neighbourhood “… in constructive dialogue aimed at enhancing collaboration and addressing mutual priorities, particularly in the realm of food security..” remains to be seen.