Former Head of State, Tuiatua Tupua Tamasese Efi is against the proposed sale by O.F. Nelson Properties Limited of more than 1000 acres of freehold land twhich includes the world recognized archaeological Pulemelei Mounds site.
According to the Samoa Observer Tuiatua is a shareholder of the company and has objected to the proposed sale, but because there are other shareholders the decision to sell would be based on a vote by the majority.
He said if he had his way he would preserve the land for its archaelogical value.
It has been revealed that a petition by Vailoa village of the Palauli district on which the land is located has been launched to try and stop the sale.
Spearheaded by the current Member of Parliament for the Palauli East constituency Tuifa’asisina Misa Lisati Aiolupotea, the online petition is gathering momentum and had 500 signatures after 24 hours.
Tuifa’asisina said many Samoans residing overseas have signed the petition and did not say how many signatures they we are targeting.
The village council of Vailoa Palauli has tried unsuccessfully over the years to claim the land in the Land and Titles Court as part of their village heritage and lost their final appeal in 2008.
The petition still claims the land is their “heritage and identity, the lands of our ancestors”.
“These lands are our faasinomaga, they are part of who we are,” said the petition.
The call for expressions of interest in the 1150 acres of land expired 1 June and it is not known if any bids had been received.
