Independent work by government surveyors comes under scrutiny

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The Department of Public Works has defended the private survey of the Nu’u Fou lands by the government’s chief surveyor Leota Mapesone Laulu as it’s allowed by the government, due to limited certified surveyors on island.

However the Acting Director of Public Works, Falava’i Ta’ase says it’s “moonlighting” on the other hand, which is something the Department discourages.”

His comments were made during an interview with Samoa News. He explained that ’moonlighting’ refers to having a second job in addition to one's regular employment.

Falava’i admits he was not aware of the land survey that was proposed for registration under the names Mauga Tasi Asuega, Laulii Alofa, and Michael T. Fuiavai and others as “individually owned land” encompassing close to 400 acres in Aasu, Fagasa, Malaeimi around Sika.

According to Falava’i this only came out when the notices were published in the paper as per the statute for registration of land, otherwise this issue wouldn’t be in the public’s eye.

“But again, Mapesone took leave to survey this land and that in his report it indicated there were people living there some years back, meaning this was not virgin bush as indicated.”

The Acting Public Works Director said, if there were a pool of surveyors they would not have this problem they are having — whereas government surveyors can take time off to conduct private work on their own time.

“The issue is that, these types of work should be done on the weekend or holidays — the Surveyors cannot take leave to do these types of work, it is prohibited,” he explained.

Regarding the Nu’ufou registration, Falava’i believes the system in place for checks and balances is working, whereas registration of lands has to go through a process and in that manner the registration has been stopped.

“I believe that systems are in place to ensure these types of issues don’t happen,” said Falava’i.

He said the limited number of certified surveyors on island is an ongoing problem, they have minimal solutions such as programs including career days, whereas the trade such as surveying can be proposed for students as a career.

“We are telling the upcoming generations that the fields that are lacking on island are civil engineering, surveyors etc.

“Another avenue we have taken is hiring people from overseas, but then the issue of salaries offered for these people cannot compare to what we are paying the locals.

“Their salaries are quite high overseas and so most people opt not to entertain a proposal to come work in the territory,” said Falava’i.

He told Samoa News the issue at hand, has instigated the move to review its policies to ensure that moonlighting is eliminated and that more awareness for these types of trades is highlighted so there is a pool of engineers and surveyors in the territory.

Last month the Acting Manager for the Survey Division, Sione Amosa before the Senate Select Investigative Committee read out Mapesone’s report of his survey of the Land claimed as “Virgin Bush” situated North of Malaeimi Valley, West of Fagasa village, and East of Aasu Village.

The report cited five main points from the survey at hand.

 “1.      Look at the drawing I prepared for this survey. There is a concrete wall about 8 ft. X 6 ft. And 3 ft. High on the coast line surrounding a Tree.

 “2.There are more coconut trees about 40 years old growing in the area of Sita Bay.

 “3. Further towards Aasu, I saw few young coconut trees about 10 years old on top of a lower ridge.

 “4. Furthermore to Aasu village, I saw more coconut trees about 40 years old on the slope side to the west of a higher ridge.

 “5. At the same area of section 4, I saw there was no virgin bush but big tree distancing from another big tree with lower vegetation in between.

These features like the concrete wall, coconut trees and low vegetation indicated there were people [who] occupied these lands not very long ago.”