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PRESS RELEASE

Issued on: Wednesday, 8th September 2021.

Prime Minister and Minister for Public Enterprises, Hon. Rev. Dr. Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa and Chairman of the Transport Sector Board of Directors Mr. Daniel Kimball Fale. 8th September 2021.

On 8th September 2021, a Handover Ceremony for the Grant Assistance from the Government of Tonga to Ports Authority Tonga was held at the Prime Minister’s Office, Nuku’alofa.

 The Prime Minister of Tonga, Hon Rev Dr Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa, handed over the grant of TOP$1,541,445 million pa’anga to the Chairman of the Transport Sector Board of Directors, Mr. Daniel Kimball Fale. This grant is equivalent to the Ports Authority Tonga’s declared and paid dividend to the Government.

The purpose of the grant is to contribute to the material, equipment and capital goods costs for the implementation and construction of the Prime Minister’s Small Islands Wharves Project for Nomuka and ‘Uiha Islands.

Chairman Fale thanked the Government of Tonga for the grant assistance. He said, “this is the first time for a major project such as this, to be executed in this way. This is the Government’s project which is implemented via Ports Authority Tonga as one of its Public Enterprise entities. The said project includes community involvement and funding from the island communities”. He added that one of the reason as to why this projected is implemented through Public Enterprise partnership is due to the experience and expertise of the Authority to successfully complete the project. Secondly, there are resources and equipment available at Ports Authority to assist with implementation of the project”.

In delivering the vote of thanks, the Chairman of the Nomuka Community Wharf Committee, Rev. Dr. Feke Mafi said, “this project for the people of Nomuka began with a dream. In previous years, there were risks related to offloading cargoes and people at Nomuka’s wharf, as this operation was done in the deep sea either in the early mornings or late at night. Today we are close to seeing this project come to life, with the hope to provide safer wharves for the people of Nomuka and ‘Uiha”.

“The due processes for this project have been documented, submitted to and approved by Cabinet”, said Chairman Fale.

Ports Authority Tonga is the implementing agency in the said project, and will work in partnership with the Government.

Also present at the handover ceremony were Mr. Edgar Cocker, the Chief Secretary and Secretary to Cabinet, Governor of Ha’apai Hon. Manu’opangai Hingano, Chairlady of the ‘Uiha Wharf Committee Rev. Tutaleva Lolohea, the ACEO for the Ports Authority Tonga, Mr. Alo Maileseni, Ms. Falahola Naidu the Deputy CEO from the Ministry of Public Enterprises, Mr. Iketau Kaufusi, Technical Manager for Ports Authority’s Infrastructure and Technical Services Division, and members from the Nomuka and ‘Uiha Wharves Committees.

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