Press Releases

» Japan Provides New Water Supply Systems to Tupou College and two Villages, and Classroom Facilities for Tonga Institute of Science and Technology and Ta’anga Government Primary School in the Kingdom of Tonga

Embargo: Wednesday 21st February 2007, 10.00 a.m.

The Government of Japan continues to provide development assistance to rural sectors, which benefits schools and villages in the Kingdom of Tonga. Three schools and one village will celebrate the opening of new water supply systems and classroom facilities. These projects were funded under Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) programme.

The Ambassador of Japan, H. E. Mr. Masashi Namekawa, will officially handover the new water supply system at Lakepa village on 15th February, whilst the Second Secretary at the Embassy of Japan, Ms. Reiko Konosu, will be representing the Ambassador of Japan, to officially open the new school facilities at Ta’anga Government Primary School and Tonga Institute of Science and Technology, and to open new water supply system at Tupou College, from 16th to 20th February.

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

  1. The Project for Construction of Water Supply System for Lakepa Village
    This project was funded through a GGP grant of US$80,263.00 (approx. T$148,980.00) to cover the material and construction costs of one water supply system (pump, 5000 gallon tank, tank stand, water meters and pipes). This project is expected to benefit around three hundred people from the local area.
    The handing over ceremony will be held at Lakepa Village in Tongatapu Island on Thursday, 15th February 2007 at 2.00 p.m
    .
  2. The Project for Construction of Ta’anga Government Primary School
    This project was funded through a GGP grant of US$84,797.00 (approx. T$149,800.00) to cover for the building materials and construction costs of a 3-classroom building, a 4-cubicles toilet, a staff house, and 5,000 gallon concrete water tank. This project is expected to benefit around forty students and teachers from the local area.
    The handing over ceremony will be held at Ta’anga Government Primary School in ‘Eua Island on Friday, 16th February 2007 at 10.00 a.m.

  3. The Project for Water Supply for Tupou College
    This project was funded through a GGP grant of US$63,628.00 (approx. T$118,103.00) to cover for the building materials and construction costs of one water supply system (5000 gallon tank, tank stand, water meters and pipes). This project is expected to benefit around nine hundred students and teachers from the local area.
    The handing over ceremony will be held at Tupou College in Tongatapu Island on Saturday, 17th February 2007 at 10.00 a.m.

  4. The Project for Upgrading of Tonga Institute of Science and Technology
    This project was funded through a GGP grant of US$80,836.00 (approx. T$150,000.00) to cover for the building materials and construction costs of a classroom building. This project is expected to benefit around five hundred students and teachers from the local area.
    The handing over ceremony will be held at Tonga Institute of Science and Technology in Tongatapu Island on Tuesday, 20th February 2007 at 10.00 a.m.

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.