Press Releases

» Japan Provides New Facilities to four (3) Organisations in the Kingdom of Tonga

Embargo: Thursday, 9th February 2006, 10.00 a.m.

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. One (1) school and two (2) 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 Tongatapu, Ha’apai and Vavau Island to officially open the new facilities.

Details of each project and its handing over ceremony schedule are as follows:

  1. 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 Monday, 6th February 2006 at 10.00 a.m.

  2. The Project for Upgrading of ‘Ofamo’oni Pre-School
    This project was funded through a GGP grant of US$28,982.00 (approx. T$51,200.00) to cover for the building materials and construction costs of a staff quarters and 5,000 gallon concrete water tank. This project is expected to benefit around fifty (50) students from the local area.
    The handing over ceremony will be held at ‘Ofamo’oni Pre-School in Ha’apai on Tuesday, 7th February 2006 at 9.00 a.m.

  3. 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 Tuesday, 7th February 2006 at 03.00 p.m.

The long term objective of these projects is to ensure that the school project provides quality education and improved health and sanitation to the students and the village water supply projects provide 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 peoples of Kingdom of Tonga and Japan.