Samoa Airstrip

Ti'avea's paramount chief, Tuiavi'i Petelo Ioane, said final compensation was agreed in November.

The village council had reportedly been seeking $US1.9 million for the 23 acres.

But in in October, the Minister of Works, Transport and Infrastructure, Papali'i Niko Lee Hang, said the government would not pay.

Nine families had settled, however, for between $US77,000 and $US269,000 depending on the size of land sacrificed, Tuiavi'i said.

The government wants all titles signed before paying, which is a challenge for some families, he said.

The village has demanded $US2.049 million dollars for the land earmarked for the airstrip.

The Samoa Observer newspaper reported the Minister of Works, Transport and Infrastructure, Papali'i Niko Lee Hang, saying the government would not pay and the project could be cancelled.

He asked the villagers to reconsider a lower government offer because they stood to benefit in the long term from the project.