Press Releases
» Japan Provides Funds for Two Sub-Fire Station Building Projects in the Kingdom of Tonga
Embargo: Tuesday, 13th February 2007, 11.00 a.m.The Government of Japan will provide funds totalling US$177,390.00 (approx. T$329,984.00) for two projects in the Kingdom of Tonga. The funding will be made available through the Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) programme.
Grant Contracts formalising Japan’s assistance will be signed between the representatives of the two projects and the Ambassador of Japan to Tonga, H.E. Mr. Masashi Namekawa, at 11.00 a.m. on 13th February 2007 at Longolongo Police Training School in Nuku’alofa, the Kingdom of Tonga.
Details on the individual projects are as follows:
| No. | Project Title | T$ | US$ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Project for Construction of Nukunuku Sub-Fire Station | 164,992.00 | 88,695.00 |
| 2 | The Project for Construction of Mu'a Sub-Fire Station | 164,992.00 | 88,695.00 |
At present there is only one fire station providing its services to the whole Tongatapu Island which is ineffective and uneconomical. These two new sub-stations will facilitate and expedite fire services during times of tragedy and improve access to fire services.
Japan’s assistance to these projects indicates its commitment to contribute to the improvement of the living standards and welfare of people in the Kingdom of Tonga and is in line with its Official Development Assistance (ODA) policy of promoting development at the grassroots level. The GGP programme is specifically designed to address basic human needs, which include water supply, health, basic education, vocational training, sanitary environment and rural infrastructure. A total of 167 projects to the value of approximately US$5,110,889 have been funded under this program from 1993 to 2005 in the Kingdom of Tonga. 16 projects to the value of US$954,170 were funded in the Kingdom of Tonga in the Japanese financial year of 2005 along with nine water supply projects and a health project to the value of US$749,381.00 in the Japanese financial year beginning April 2006.
It is hoped that this assistance will help further strengthen the friendly ties between the governments and the people of the Kingdom of Tonga and Japan.