People contest elections because they would like to make a difference, help the people they represent and improve the quality of life for those he or she represent. It is a bit worrying to hear that the people of Apolima feel they have been forgotten.

This is a sad statement coming from the mayor of Apolima and it goes to show that there could be far more abuse of the $1 million district development grants than it has been highlighted in the media. They are saying that the person who they chose to represent them is not doing what he is supposed to be doing.

It is not wrong to feel that way when you can see that work has not been done in your village and district. It is legitimate for the village mayor to question the MP, however, we are getting to see that same trend of silencing critics or those who speak up.

Village mayor, Leala Afe Solo said the island has only received fences for the pig pens as part of the development project.

Expressing dismay over the lack of progress, Mayor Solo highlighted the disparity between Apolima and other villages within the district, many of whom have already seen significant infrastructural enhancements.

Despite efforts to engage with the district committee overseeing the project, Apolima Island feels neglected, with little indication of when additional support might materialise.

It is rather disappointing that the Member of Parliament for Aiga i le Tai, Auapaau Mulipola Aloitafua responded by saying that Leala was no longer the mayor of Apolima and one man cannot raise issues for the whole village. He has also denied the claims made by Leala and said Apolima had apologised to him for raising issues against him.

As an elected representative of the people, it is the duty of the MP to ensure that his electorates have what they need. It can be education, health, infrastructure, transportation, housing and a whole lot of things.

If the MPs who have been chosen think that it should be voters serving them then the people they serve would never be helped. There have been promises made and it is time to deliver. If people are speaking out against the promises, then they have the right to do so.

Perhaps the MP should visit the island at least once a month and keep track of the development needs of the people living there.  

The district grants were an election promise as well. The idea was to improve the lives of people through planned activities. Some districts have been using the grants to support education, others are focusing on agriculture, and some are on climate change.

This may not be an opportunity lost, the people of Apolima still can be helped and the MP can ensure that he does what he was voted to do. The 2026 elections are now just two years away. The MP would return to the island to campaign.

There is also the burning question if the $1 million grants have been utilised in the best way. As it has been shown, the grants are also subject to abuse. In one district money has gone missing, some districts are giving cash handouts, some want to give out money and some have been things that would never lead to improving lives.

The audited reports of all districts should be made public and people should have a chance to see how the public funds were utilised. One of the important things about the grant is that it has to be used in a manner that would equally benefit everyone.

There can never be a case where certain villages get most of the portion. The problem here is that no analysis or surveys are being done to see how the money can be best used. Instead, the district councils are making decisions based on submissions.

An avenue has been provided to the MPs to help their people, and it should be done. This is not a family trust fund to please people but to do actual work that positively impacts the lives of people. Even if the island has a small number, they are part of the district and as such, their requests must be catered.

If any MP has made a promise before the elections, it is only morally sound that he follows it through and fulfills it.