Press Releases

» Japan Provides New Facilities to Five (5) Organisations in the Kingdom of Tonga

The Government of Japan continues to provide development assistance to the education and rural sectors, which benefits educational institutions and villages in the Kingdom of Tonga. Two (2) schools and three (3) villages will celebrate the opening of new building facilities and water supply systems, respectively. These projects were funded under Japan's Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) programme.

The Second Secretary at the Embassy of Japan, Ms. Reiko Konosu, will be representing the Ambassador of Japan, H.E. Mr. Masashi Namekawa at each school and village in Ha'apai and Vavau Island to officially open the new facilities.

Details and handing over ceremony schedules of the projects are as follows:

• The Project for Construction of Water Supply System for Falemea Village
  This project was funded through a GGP grant of US$18,730.00 (approx. T$33,478.00) to cover for the material and construction costs of one (1) water supply system (pump and pipes). This project is expected to benefit around three hundred (300) people from the local area.
  
  The handing over ceremony will be held at Falemea Village in Ha'apai on Wednesday, 12th October 2005 at 12.00 p.m.
  
• The Project for Upgrading of Ha'ano Government Primary School
  This project was funded through a GGP grant of US$44,161.00 (approx. T$79,100.00) to cover for the building materials and construction costs of three (3) classroom block and one (1) 5000 gallon water tank. This project is expected to benefit around thirty (30) students from the local area.
  
  The handing over ceremony will be held at Ha'ano Government Primary School in Ha'apai on Thursday, 13th October 2005 at 10.00 a.m.
  
• The Project for Upgrading of Fakakakai Government Primary School
  This project was funded through a GGP grant of US$73,863.00 (approx. T$132,300.00) to cover for the building materials and construction costs of two (2) school buildings comprising of two (2) classrooms each, four (4) toilet units and two (2) 2200 gallon water tanks. This project is expected to benefit around sixty (60) students from the local area.
  
  The handing over ceremony will be held at Fakakakai Government Primary School in Ha'apai on Thursday, 13th October 2005 at 12.00 p.m.
  
• The Project for Construction of Water Supply System for Faleloa Village
  This project was funded through a GGP grant of US$36,619.00 (approx. T$65,450.00) to cover for the material and construction costs of one (1) water supply system (pump, 5000 gallon tank, water meters and pipes). This project is expected to benefit around one thousand (1000) people from the local area.
  
  The handing over ceremony will be held at Faleloa Village in Ha'apai on Thursday, 13th October 2005 at 03.00 p.m.
  
• The Project for Construction of Water Supply System for Taoa Village
  This project was funded through a GGP grant of US$68,208.00 (approx. T$121,910.00) to cover for the material and construction costs of one (1) water supply system ( 2 pumps, 5000 gallon tank, water meters and pipes). This project is expected to benefit around six hundred (600) people from the local area.
  
  The handing over ceremony will be held at Taoa Village in Vavau Island on Friday, 14th October 2005 at 01.00 p.m.

The long term objective of these projects is to ensure that the school projects provide quality education and improved health and sanitation to the students and the village water supply system provides villagers with hygienic water for drinking, bathing and washing.

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. It is hoped that this assistance will help further strengthen the friendly ties between the governments and the people of Kingdom of Tonga and Japan.