The Samoan government has been forced to look for other sites to build a hydro power scheme after negotiations with Sili village failed to secure village approval.
A leading village chief, Fiu Tu'ipala says they rejected the power project because the future of their children and grandchildren is a lot more important.
He says the village eats and drinks from the Sili river and they want to preserve its natural state.
An Asian Development Bank report recommended the Sili river basin as a suitable site for the power station which would have produced enough electricity for Savai'i Island
The Samoa Observer newspaper reports that the government is now looking at other rivers on the island.
