Notice withdrawn for registration of certain lots of “Nuu Fou” land

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The Office of the Territorial Registrar has “withdrawn” its notices published in the Samoa News pertaining to the proposed registration as individually owned land certain lots of the land “Nuu Fou”.

Citing its “failure to comply with the territory’s land registration statue, A.S.C.A. Sections 37.0101 et seq.”

This is outlined in a letter signed by the Territorial Registrar, Divine Iuli-Falaniko and addressed to Samoa News marketing manager, Heavenly Letuli.

The land in question “Nuufou” has been the subject of criticism from the public and the issue is under investigation by the Senate Select Investigation Committee (SSIC).

 “I write to withdraw the prior request by the Office of the Territorial Register to publish notices regarding the proposed registration of certain lots of the land “Nuu Fou” as individually owned land.

 “After further review of the proposed land registration paperwork that was filed by the applicants on June 13, 2022, and upon consultation with the office of the attorney general, I have determined that the above referenced land registration offers are deficient for failure to comply with the territory’s land registration statue, A.S.C.A. Sections 37.0101 et seq.

 “Any registration of land not performed in accordance with statutory procedure is void. Accordingly, the office of territorial registrar is unable to consider or move forward with the above referenced land registration offers.

 “The applicants have separately been advised of the same,” said Iuli-Falaniko.

 “In light of these developments, I respectfully request that no further notices regarding the above referenced land registration offers be published in Samoa News.”

Under the territory’s land registration statue, a proposition to register individually owned lands has to be published in a paper of record for 60 days to determine if there is anyone that has objections.

There were three separate notices booked with Samoa News to be published from June 13 up until August 12, 2022, under the names of:

Mauga Tasi Asuega, Laulii Alofa, Michael T. Fuiavai; Patolo Mageo and others as “individually owned land” encompassing close to 400 acres,

 “The notice is further given that the survey and description of the said land are now on file in the territorial registrar’s office where they may be examined at any time prior to the expiration of the said 60 days,” according to the notice, which is now withdrawn.

BACKGROUND

Samoa News earlier obtained a copy of the survey and description, which cites close to 400 acres of land was surveyed by the government surveyor in a subdivision of land called Nu’u Fou.

The map in question has the seal of the American Samoa Government Manager’s certificate.

It says in the village Aasu, there are 83.75 acres claimed by Fuiava and others; 132.19 acres claimed by Mageo Patolo in Aasu; 107.78 acres claimed by Laulii in the village of Malaeimi and 68.32 acres claimed by Mauga in Fagasa village.

The survey was registered on April 20, 2022.

As reported earlier the lands have come under the microscope of the Senate Select Investigative Committee (SSIC).

During the session last Wednesday, Senator Satele Ali’itai Lili’o said there has been a lot of concerns raised in the villages of Fagasa, Malaeimi, and Aasu on the proposal to register these lands as “individually owned”.

 “And there are a number of concerns over the said lands that require answers.

 “Firstly, if these lands are to be developed for government projects, then the Legislature should be officially informed.

“Also these lands belong to families and respective villages but this is shocking to hear (if the reports are true) that it’s now being submitted to be registered.”

The Senator said at the time that the Territorial Registrar should be called to come before the Fono to explain this matter.

“If the lands have been registered by passing local laws then this matter should be dealt with immediately,” said Satele.

The SSIC held its hearing on Monday and the Registrar was sworn in to testify, we will report on that hearing in tomorrow’s edition.