12 Mar 2004

Landowners halt American Samoan landslip work

2:25 pm on 12 March 2004

Temporary repair work on a landslip site at Fagatogo in American Samoa has been stopped after objections from landowners.

The Director of Public Works, Taeaotui Punaofo, has confirmed that the work was stopped on Monday after local landowners expressed concern about possible effects on their properties.

Their spokesman, Leapai Sipa Anoa'i, says the families want to see the governments plans for the site.

He says compensation is also an issue.

Both sides will meet again next week to try to resolve the villagers concerns.