There was an angry reaction from members of the public after copies of a map showing a large acreage of land, regarded as virgin bush in the hills of Fagasa and Pago Pago to Malaeimi and Aoloau and Aasu, started circulating on Facebook.
It involves about 200 acres of untouched bush which a group of government leaders, businessmen and lawyers are claiming and registering as their own.
The names linked to what has been dubbed as the “land grab” are Lemanu Peleti Mauga, Mauga Tasi Asuega, Patolo Mageo, Sili Sataua, Laulii Alofa, Michael Fuiava, Roy Hall and Faoa Aitofele Sunia.
KHJ News was first alerted of the land claim more than a week ago. KHJ News asked for responses from Governor Lemanu, his Chief Executive Assistant Aoelua Aoelua, Chief of Staff Tuimavave Tauapai Laupola and Communications Officer Fiafia Sunia.
Tuimavave responded last night that he cannot reply to our questions, as he doesn’t know the origins of the documents we showed him and their validity. KHJ News pointed out that as the Chief of Staff who has access to Governor Lemanu, KHJ News sent questions to him (as well as Aoelua and Sunia) in order to get an official comment regarding the issue.
Rev. Patolo Mageo, in a phone interview with KHJ News, disavowed any association with the “land grab.” He said, the only lands that he surveyed were Mageo family lands. He stated that he had no knowledge of or association with what KHJ News described to him, as a move by the persons named (including Patolo) to register virgin bushland.
KHJ News has been informed by ranking matai of Fagasa and Pago Pago that they will intervene in the move to register the acreage which has been given the title “Nuu Fou”.
A member of the House of Representatives has alerted other faipule about the land claim.
“I am writing to share these screenshots of a Facebook post by Dawnie Nua regarding land belonging to A’asu, Malaeimi, and Fagasa villages that are being claimed by certain individuals of the current administration. The attached survey photos reference these areas as Nu’u Fou,” said the Faipule.
“This troubling revelation seems to coincide with the fact that ASPA plans to move forward with the installation of wind turbines in the contested area of Manunu. I am not quite sure what to make of this shocking news, but because these lands fall within your district boundaries, I thought it best to share this with you all.”
“I am hoping your respective districts and landowners are aware of these efforts. If not, then someone needs to reach out to the Territorial Registrar and the DPW Surveyor’s Office for more information.”
What was circulated on Facebook shows a surveyor map that was signed and stamped on April 20, 2022 by the Manager of the Surveyor Branch of the Department of Public Works.
