The village council of Sili in Samoa is meeting today with government officials to voice their opinions over the findings of an environmental impact report about the future of a hydropower project.
The report found that the project would expand the development of renewable energy resources of Samoa in a sustainable manner, and reduce the country's dependence on imported fossil fuels for electricity generation.
But villagers have concerns about the projects effect on local rivers which are their main source of food and water.
The report says that given the politically sensitive nature of the proposed project a preliminary project design has been developed which should have small or no significant adverse environmental impacts.
The report concludes that the proposed hydro plant, which will be funded by the Asian Development Bank, will help Samoa fulfill its goals of promoting sustainable development.
