This is the highest-spending government within just 7 to nearly 8 months. Millions of the people’s tax money have been lost due to wrong decisions and failure to follow the law and the Constitution of Tonga.
The Government of Hon. Lord Fakafanua faces major financial challenges as the current budget has a deficit of $38 million. This inflation rate of 9.3% is the highest in the history of the Tongan Government. This 9.3% inflation rate is the highest among all governments in the entire Pacific region under this current administration. Energy costs have reached 41% at this time, transport costs have risen to 23%, and electricity prices have increased by 41.3%.
Families will struggle further to secure food and feed their children because prices for commodities and everything else have spiked, while wages in both government and private sectors remain low. This is a painful situation for the citizens given the poor conditions experienced over these 7 to 8 months under this administration, leaving the public questioning these developments.
Meanwhile, Cabinet Ministers continue to travel and spend taxpayer money on unnecessary trips primarily to maximize their travel allowances. Concurrently, the representative for Tongatapu 5 stated in Parliament that a 2024 government trip funded 26 individuals, but only 20 actually traveled abroad to watch sports, costing over a million when accounting for airfare, food, hotel lodging, and other travel expenditures.
However, Lord Fakafanua attempted to state yesterday in Parliament that the audit report belongs to the years 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024, seemingly trying to avoid a debate. Nonetheless, Tongatapu 7 proposed referring it to the committees for further action, which was supported by Tongatapu 5 and Tongatapu 4.
The Prime Minister stated that the audit report is only presented to the Speaker of the House and the Chairman of the Whole House Committee, raising public concerns regarding this operational procedure.
The questions remain:
Who was the Speaker of Parliament in 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024?
What is happening to our leaders today?
Why do you refuse to debate and speak out firmly in Parliament to stop dishonesty, triviality, and the wasteful spending of the poor people’s hard work and energy?
Ko e Pule’anga fakamole lahi taha eni ‘i loto ‘i he māhina pē ‘e 7 meimei 8. Kuo mole atu e laulau miliona mei he pa’anga tukuhau e kakai´ ‘o makatu’unga he ngaahi faitu’utu’uni hala mo ikai ke nau muimui ki he lao mo e Konusitūtone ‘o Tonga´
‘Oku fehangahangai e Pule’anga ‘o Lord Fakafanua´ mo e ngaahi faingatā’ia fakapa’anga lahi ‘aupito he ‘oku lolotonga nounou ‘aki pē patiseti´ ia ‘aki e $38 miliona he ko e patiseti fe’amokaki.
Pea ko e ma’olunga taha eni he hisitolia ‘o e Pule’anga Tonga´ he kuo a’u ‘etau inflation, pe ko e hiki ‘o e totongi koloa´, ki he 9.3 %. Ko e ma’olunga taha eni ha toe pule’anga kuo hoko ki ai, pea a’u ki he Pasifiki´ fakakātoa ‘oku ma’olunga taha pē ‘a Tonga ni ‘i he Pule’anga ko eni´ ko e 9.3% ‘a e inflation. Pea kuo a’u ‘etau energy cost ki he 41% he taimi ni. Ko ‘etau transport cost kuo hiki hake ki he 23% pea toe hiki mo e mamafa e uhila´ ‘aki e 41.3 %.
‘Oku tau ‘alu ke toe faingatā’ia ange ‘a e ngaahi famili´ ke ma’u ha me’a ke nau ma’u me’atokoni mo fafanga ‘enau fanau´ he kuo hiki e koloa´ mo e me’a kotoa pē ki ‘olunga kae kei kovi pe ‘enau ngaahi vāhenga he pule’anga´ mo e ngaahi kautaha taautaha´.
‘Oku hoko eni ko e me’a fakamamahi ki he kakai ‘o e fonau´ he tu’unga kovi kuo tau a’usia he fo’i mahina ko eni ‘e 7 meimei 8 kuo hoko mai ai e pule’anga ko eni´ pea ‘oku fakatupu fifili ki he kakai ‘o e fonua´.
‘I he taimi tatau ‘oku kei hangē pē folau e kau Minisitā mo ‘enau fakamoleki e pa’anga tukuhau e kakai´ he ngaahi folau ia ‘oku ‘ikai ke totonu ke fai kā ‘oku fai pē ia ko e ‘uhinga´ ko e fakalahilahi ‘enau vahenga´ ki ai.
‘I he taimi tatau ne fakahā ‘e Tongatapu 5 he Fale Alea´ ne ‘i ai e kau folau e Pule’anga 2024 ne totongi ai e toko 26 kā na’e toko 20 pē kau folau mamata sipoti ki tu’apule’anga´ pea ne ‘osi miliona tupu pē fo’i folau ko ia´ – tānaki e tikite vakapuna, kai, nofo hotele mo e ngaahi fakamole kehe ki he folau´.
Kā na’e feinga foki ‘a Lord Fakafanua ke fakahā ‘aneafi he Fale Alea ko e lipooti ‘atita´ ko e lipooti ia e ta’u 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 ko ā. ‘O hange ‘oku ne feinga ke ‘oua ‘e alea’i. Kā ne fokotu’u atu ‘e Tongatapu 7 ke tukuhifo ki he ngaahi komiti´ ke nau ngāue ki ai. Pehe kia Tongatapu 5, mo Tongatapu 4.
Ne fakahā ‘ehe ‘Eiki Palēmia ia ko e lipooti ‘atita ia ko e ‘omai pe ia ki he Sea ‘o e Fale´ mo e Sea ‘o e Komiti Kakato´. ‘Oku ‘i ai e fifili mei he kakai´ ‘i he founga ngāue ko ia´.
Ka ko e fehu’i :
Ko hai na’e Sea he Fale Alea´ he 2021? 2022? 2023? 2024?
Ko e hā e me’a ‘oku hoko ki hotau kau taki´ he ‘aho ni?
Ko e hā e me’a ‘oku ‘ikai ai ke mou fie talanga’i mo lea fefeka ‘i Fale Alea ke ta’ofi e ta’efaitotonu mo e va’inga mo e fakamole noa’ia e kakava e kakai masiva´ mo hono pehe’i honau ivi´?
$18 Million Power Assistance Raises Questions as Generator Failure Leaves Tongatapu Facing Rotational Outages
Deputy Chairman of the Common Utilities Board of Directors Mr. Siotame Tsutomu Nakao, Mr. Nikolasi Fonua and 88.1FM -People’s Radio Director Mr. Etuate Lavulavu
Nuku’alofa, Tonga — Tonga Power Limited (TPL) has apologised to electricity consumers across Tongatapu following several days of rotational power outages, admitting that the reliability standards expected by the public have not been met.
The admission came as Tonga Power addressed the ongoing electricity crisis following the failure of its largest generator, which has significantly reduced the country’s available generation capacity.
URGENT PRESS CONFERENCE
Tonga Power called an urgent press conference on Tuesday, 18 August 2026, to address the continuing power supply problems.
The press conference was attended by Deputy Chairman of the Common Utilities Board of Directors Mr. Siotame Tsutomu Nakao and Mr. Nikolasi Fonua, together with representatives of the media.
Deputy Chairman of the Common Utilities Board of Directors Mr. Siotame Tsutomu Nakao, Kele’a Newreporter Ms. Milika Ulupano, Mr. Nikolasi Fonua and Mr. Etuate Lavulavu
Six media organisations attended the press conference:
Tonga Broadcasting Commission /Letio Tonga A3Z
88.1FM – People’s Radio
Keleʻa Radio 91.5FM
Matangi Tonga
Radio 87.5FM
Tonga Chronicle
LARGEST GENERATOR FAILURE
According to Tonga Power’s media statement issued on 18 August 2026, the current situation began following the failure of its largest generator on Saturday, 15 August.
The failure significantly reduced the amount of electricity available to meet demand across Tongatapu.
To prevent a complete system blackout, Tonga Power said it has been carrying out controlled, rotational load shedding, with different areas experiencing scheduled interruptions.
The company said the outages are being rotated between areas in an effort to distribute the impact as fairly as possible while maintaining electricity to essential services, including hospitals, water systems and other critical infrastructure.
For households and businesses, however, the outages have created significant disruption, affecting daily activities, commercial operations and the ability of families to rely on a consistent electricity supply.
REPAIRS EXPECTED WITHIN TWO WEEKS
Tonga Power confirmed that repair work on the failed generator is underway and is expected to be completed within two weeks.
The company is also completing the installation of two new generator units, which it said is expected to take a similar amount of time.
Until additional generation capacity becomes available, Tonga Power warned that rotational outages may continue depending on system conditions and electricity demand.
A planned load-shedding schedule covering 17–23 August has been released, outlining areas that may experience daytime and nighttime outages.
The company said load shedding may not be necessary when available generation is sufficient to meet demand.
WHAT ABOUT THE $18 MILLION?
88.1FM – People’s Radio Director and journalist Etuate Lavulavu, questioned whether the TOP $18 million in taxpayers’ money provided to assist the public with electricity bills could, in any way, be considered in addressing the ongoing generator problems and strengthening the reliability of Tonga’s electricity supply.
Lavulavu’s questions put the focus not only on the immediate power outages but also on the broader issue of whether sufficient investment is being made in the infrastructure needed to provide a reliable electricity service to the people of Tonga.
The question does not necessarily suggest that the existing assistance can simply be redirected. Rather, it raises an issue whether additional investment is needed to strengthen Tonga’s power generation capacity.
For taxpayers and electricity consumers, the issue is straightforward: if millions of dollars are being spent to help people pay their electricity bills, what is being done to ensure that the electricity supply itself is reliable?
“WE NEED TO DO MUCH BETTER”
In acknowledging the difficulties facing consumers, Tonga Power issued an apology and recognised that the standard of reliability expected by the public has not been achieved.
“We need to do much better.”
The statement represents a significant acknowledgement from the country’s electricity provider at a time when public frustration over repeated outages is growing.
Tonga Power said it remains committed to improving its performance and achieving the level of reliability expected of the nation’s electricity supply.
As Tonga Power works to restore its generation capacity, the public will be watching closely for answers on both the immediate repairs and the longer-term investment required to prevent similar disruptions in the future.
Tonga Chronicle will continue to follow the situation and report on developments surrounding Tonga’s electricity supply, generator repairs and the questions raised over the use of public funds to support electricity consumers.
Ko e hā e me’a ‘oku hoko ki he langa ‘o e Fale Alea ‘o Tonga? Ko e langa eni ‘i he kelekele ‘oku lolotonga ‘osi fakahū atu ‘e he tokotaha ‘a ‘ene faka’ilo ‘a e langa ‘o e Fale Alea ‘o Tonga ‘i he kelekele ia ‘o’ona. Na’a ne ‘uluaki ma’u e aleapau ki ai´, ke langa ai ‘ene pisinisi´ pea ne ‘osi fakamole ‘e ia ai e pa’anga ‘e 6 miliona na’a ne nō mei he Pangike Fakalakalaka ‘o Tonga´ kae malu’i ‘e he Pule’anga Tonga´.
Ko e fakaloloma taha´, ko e ‘ilo’i pē ‘e he Fale Alea ‘o Tonga´ ne ‘osi ‘i ai e alea ia ‘a e Fefine Pisinisi ko eni´ ke langa ai ‘ene pisinisi ‘i he ngaahi fu’u fo’i ‘eka lahi ‘aupito ‘i Tufumahina´.
Ko e palani ko eni ‘ene pisinisi´ ne ‘osi maau pē ia ki ai. Pea mo e femahino’aki mo e TDB te ne nō mai e fo’i ‘uluaki 6 miliona ki he kelekele´. Pea ka ‘osi ia ‘e toe hoko atu pe ‘ene nō mei he TDB ke hoko atu hono langa ‘ene pisinisi mo e ngaahi fale ‘ofisi lalahi mo e ngaahi pisinisi fakatakimamata kehekehe pē ai.
Kā na’e faka’ohovale ‘a e hū fakafokifā ‘a e fu’u kautaha ia ko eni´ ‘o to’o ‘enau mape na’e fakahū ‘aki ‘enau nō pisinisi mei he Pangikē Langa Fakalakalaka ‘o nau ofe’i mai ‘enautolu e faingamalie mo e palani ngāue ko ia´, ‘o faka’aonga’i ko ‘enau palani pisinisi pea nau ngāue ‘aki honau mafai´ ko e pule lahi ‘o e TDB´ pea nau fa’u ‘enau pisinisi ke langa he feitu’u tatau pē mo ia na’e ‘osi pehē ne ‘osi ‘oange kelekele ko ia kiate ia. Kā ko ē ia ne hū e kautaha fo’ou ia ko eni´ ‘o to’o hangē ha’ana fa’ao-paasi e fo’i pulu ko eni´ ‘o pehē ko ‘ene fo’i pulu ‘a’ana ‘o lele’i mai ai. Pea a’u ki he ‘enau ‘osi fai hono tanupou, pea ‘ai ange ko ia´, kuo ‘ikai ke toe lava ia ke nau hoko atu. He ne tō e taufa lahi ia he TDB ‘o tafia ai e ni’ihi ko eni´. Pea hoko atu ai pē ia ki he hoko mai e Sea Mālōlō ‘o e Fale Alea ‘o Tonga ‘i he vaha’a taimi 2022-2024 ‘o nau toe fai e toe fa’ao -paasi ‘o nau hamusi e fo’i kelekele tatau, ‘o hoko leva ia ko e feitu’u e langa ai e Fale Alea ‘o Tonga´ he taimi ni.
Kae hili ko ia´, ne ‘osi fakahā ange ‘ehe Fale Alea ‘o e ‘aho ko ia´, ki he ngaahi pule’anga muli ‘oku nau fakapa’anga e Fale Alea ‘o Tonga´ ‘e ‘i ai e lisi fakalao ke fakapapau’i ko ‘enau fakapa’anga´ ‘e fai ia ki ha kelekele ‘e lisi ‘o fakatatau mo e lao kelekele ‘a Tonga´.
Na’e ‘ikai pē ke ‘unua e Fale Alea ‘o Tonga he me’a ni. Kā na’a nau kei vilitaki pē ke langa ai e Fale Alea´, neongo ne ‘osi ‘oatu e tohi fakatokanga ke ta’ofi mo e ‘ikai pe ta’ofi ia.
‘I he taimi tatau, ne hoko atu leva e Fefine Pisinisii ia ko eni ‘o fakahū ‘ene caveat (pe ko ia ‘oku iloa ko ene fakahū e claim fakalao ke puke ‘aki e fo’i kelekele ko ia´, ke ‘oua na’a faifaiange kuo lava ‘eha taha ‘o lisi atu pe lisi ke malu’i ‘aki ha nō ‘aki e fo’i kelekele fakalao. Ko e ‘uhinga´ he kuo ne osi faile ‘e ia e me’a ‘oku ui fakalao ko e “caveat” ke puke ‘aki e fo’i kelekele ‘eka e 6 ko eni.
‘I he ‘ene tu’u leva he taimi ni, kuo ‘osi fakahū atu ‘e he tokotaha pisinisi ia ko eni´ ‘enau faka’ilo sivile ‘a e ni’ihi ko eni´ ‘o kau ai e Fale Alea´ mo e ni’ihi kehe pē ne nau fai ‘e fu’u fo’i fa’ao-paasi ko eni´ ki he Fakamaau’anga´. Pea ko e hopo ko eni´ ‘oku lolotonga ‘i he fakamaau’anga lahi´.
‘I he taimi tatau, na’e pehe ‘ehe Fefine Pisinisi ni, ‘oku ‘i ai e kaungatonu ki heni ‘a e ‘a e CEO mālōlō ‘o e TDB pea mo e Loea mālōlō ‘a e TDB, pea mo e ni’ihi kehe pē.
‘Oku tu’u fehu’i eni pē ko e teu hopo ko eni´ ko hai e ongo fa’ahi ‘e mālohi ‘i ha ‘osi e fakatonutonu fakalao ko eni? ‘Oku Loea ‘aki foki ‘ehe Fefine Pisinisi Tonga ko eni ‘a e Loea mei ‘Aositelelia ko e pālangi. Ko e fehu’i leva ko e hā ‘uhinga ‘oku ‘ikai ai ke lisi e ‘api pē ko e kelekele ko eni´?
Ko e hā ha lesoni te tau ako mei he me’a ne hoko ko eni? Ko e fehu’i ‘oku ‘I ai ha uesia heni ki he kakai ‘o e fonua´?
Tā ko e mo’oni pe hono ta’ofi ‘o e 88.1FM mo e Kalonikali Tonga mei he Press Conference ‘a e ‘Eiki Palemia´. Ko e ‘uhiga totonu e taofi e kau faiongoongo mei he 88.1fm mo e Kalonikali Tonga´ ko e fu’u matu’aki ‘ita he ‘ohake e mo’oni mo hono fakatonutonu atu ‘enau fakamatala he press conference he ‘oku kehe ia mei he lekoooti ‘oku ma’u ‘e he lētio ‘a e kakai 88.1FM.
‘Oku kehe ‘aupito ia mo e fakamatala ‘a e ‘Eiki Palēmia´ ki he ngaahi ‘isiū Matatoa mo e ngaahi ‘isiū Hala Fakakakavakava pea ikai ko ia pe, kā ‘oku ilifia ai mo tokosii ha toe fie ha’u ha minisita ia ‘a e Kapineti ki he Press Conference ko e fakailifia e fehu’i´.
Ka ko e me’a fakahisitolia he talu e tu’u e pule’anga ‘o Fakafanaua´ mei Sanuali ki ‘Aokosi ko e toki kakato eni e Kapineti ki he Press Conference he ta’ofi ‘o Lavulavu mo ‘enau kau faiongoongo´ mei he kakai´ mo ‘omai e le’o mo’oni e kakai ‘o e fonua´ he ‘oku nau kole ki he 88.1FM ke ‘ave honau le’o ke ‘au ki he PM mo e kau minisita´.
‘Etuate Lavulavu, faiongoongo e 88.1FM. Photo Credit: Prime Minister’s Office/FacebookAmanda Vaipulu, faiongoongo ‘a e Kalonikali Tonga, hili hono tuku ki tu’a mei he Press Conference 17 ‘Aokosi 2026
‘Ikai tali ‘e he ‘Eiki Palemia ke toe kau atu e Letio 88.1FM Letio ‘a e Kakai Tonga pea mo e Kalonikali Tonga ki he Press Conference he ‘aho 17 ‘Aokosi 2026, ta’e’omai ha ‘uhinga fakalao ki ai. Pea ‘oku ‘i ai e tui, mo e sio faka’etita ki ai ‘oku ‘i ai e me’a ‘oku loto e Pule’anga ke ta’ofi pea ‘oua ‘e ‘ai ke ‘ilo ki ai e kakai ‘o e Fonua´ ki he mo’oni e me’a ‘oku hoko ki he kelekele ‘i Matatoa mo ‘ikai ke loto e ‘Eiki Palemia ke toe fehu’i ange ‘e he faiongoongo ‘a e 88.1FM ‘a e fo’i fehu’i ko eni ki ai:
KO HAI ‘IATE KIMOUTOLU NA’E TOHI NIMA LOI MO FAKAMO’ONI LOI HELESOA, ‘I HONO KANISELI E TOE LISI (SUBLEASE) ‘O E ‘EKA ‘E 2 ‘EHE MEIDEC MEI HE TPL ‘I HE 2026?
‘I he ‘uhinga tatau, ‘oku ‘i ai e tui e 88.1FM, ‘oku ‘ikai ke loto e ‘Eiki Palemia ‘o Tonga ke ‘oatu ‘e he letio ‘a e Kakai ‘a e me’a mo’oni ‘oku hoko ki he hala fakakavakava mo e fu’u pa’anga ‘e $17 miliona ‘oku totongi he toloi ‘o e kamata e ngaue, ‘o makatu’unga mei he ngaahi me’a ia ‘oku ‘ikai ke fakalao mo totonu kef ai ‘e he Pule’anga ‘o e 2026. Pea ‘oku uesia lahi ai heni ‘a e lao kelekele pea mo e ngaahi me’a makehe ‘oku ‘ikai ke ‘oatu kakato e mo’oni ke ‘ilo’i ‘e he kakai ‘o e fonua´ fakalukufua.
Toe pe ‘a e uike ‘e 6 nai mei heni pea fai e fili si’i ki he vahenga Niua 17 pea mo e vahenga Tongatapu 2, ‘a ia ‘oku ‘osi fokotu’u ‘e he komisoni fili´ ‘e fakahoko e lesisita e kau kanititeiti ‘i he ‘aho 3 mo e ‘aho 4 ‘o Sepitema 2026 pea ko e fili Fale Alea leva ke fakahoko ia ‘i he ‘aho 8 ‘o ‘Okatopa 2026.
‘I he taimi tatau kuo ‘osi talaki ‘e he ngaahi ma’u’anga fakamatala mo e mitia fakasosiale pea mo e ngaahi talanoa ‘a e kakai´ ‘oku ‘i ai e kau kanititeiti mo e ngaahi hingoa ‘oku ‘asi mai hangehange te nau kanititeiti fili ‘i Tongatapu 2. Ko e anga e ngaahi talanoa ‘oku fakaha mei he ni’ihi ko eni, ‘o kau ki ai e ngaahi hingoa ko eni:
1. DR LEI PAASI
2. SOANE FIFITA
3. DR MALAKAI KOLOMATANGI
4. LEPOLO MAHE TAUNISILA
5. SAMUELA VEA
6. HAVAATI TUPOUNIUA
7. SIONE FONUA
8. KOLOTI TUPOU
9. VILIULA
10 MELE AMANAKI
11 RINGO FA’OLIU
Pea ‘oku fakafuofua ki he toko 17 fakakatoa ‘a e ni’ihi ‘oku nau fakaha, ngalingali ten au kanititeiti fili he fili si’I ma’a Tongatapu 2 ‘i he ‘aho 8 ‘o ‘Okatopa.
‘Oku ‘i ai foki mo e kau kanititeiti ‘e toko 8 nai pe toe toko lahi ange ai ‘oku hangehange ten au kanititeiti ma’a Niua 17 ki he fili si’i he ‘aho 8 ‘Okatopa 2026.
Ko e ngaahi hingoa eni kuo lava ma’u ‘i he taimi´:
1. HOATATAU FINAU
2. PAEA FILIMOEHALA
3. FEAO VAKATA
4. OFA SIMIKI
Mo e toko 4 kehe pe, ‘o ‘alu hake ai ki he toko 8 ‘a e ni’ihi ‘oku fakaangaanga ken au kau atu ki he veipa ki he sea ‘o e ongo Niua 17.
Ko e fehu’i mahu’inga ‘oku ‘omai mei he kakai ‘o e fonua´ ke fai ha vakai faka’etita ki ai e letio 88.1FM mo e Kalonikali Tonga ko e fo’i fehu’i mahu’inga ke lava ke ‘oatu ki he kakai´ hono mo’oni ‘o e me’a ko eni kuo ‘osi tuku mai ‘e he ‘Eiki Palemia ‘o Tonga ‘i he Press Conference ‘i Siulai 2026. Na’a ne fakaha ‘aki ki he kau faiongoongo´ mo e kakai ‘o e fonua´ ‘a e lahi e fu’u pa’anga ‘oku ofi ki he laulau miliona ‘oku fakafuofua ki he pa’anga ‘e $17 miliona nai. Ko e pa’anga ia ‘oku fakafuofua ‘e totongi atu ia ‘e he Pule’anga Tonga´ ki he Kautaha ko ia ko e McConnell Dowell Construction ‘o Nu’u Sila, hili ia ‘a e piti ‘a e kautaha langa ‘e 4 ki hono langa e hala fakakavakava mei ‘Umusi, Ma’ufanga ki Longoteme/Folaha.
Ko e hingoa e ngaahi kautaha talamahu’inga ki he ngaue ni:
McConnell Dowell Construction (Nu’u Sila)
Sloetanche Bachy Interntational & Freyssinet Australia & Construction International JV (Falanise)
Fletcher Construction Company (Nu’u Sila)
TOA Corporation (Siapani)
‘I he talamahu’inga ko eni´ na’e foaki ai e aleapau ko eni ki he kautaha Nu’u Sila ko e McConnell Dowell Construction.
Ko e ongo kautaha ta mape ‘e 2 na’e ‘osi tali pe ‘i he ‘aho 3 ‘o Tisema 2020, ‘a ia ko e kautaha ‘enisia ‘e ua na’e ‘osi haea pe kef ai ‘ehe kautaha ko e Royal Hasknoning DHV (Netherlands) ki hono design e fakalahi e uafu Kuini Salote, ‘a ia kuo ‘osi hono langa pea kuo ‘osi huufi. Ka ko e hala fakakavakava Fanga’uta Lagoon Bridge Project na’e fai hono design faka’enisinia fakaikiiki ‘e he kautah ko e Chodai Co. Ltd (Siapani). Ko e kautaha ‘enisinia ia na’a nau fakahoko e tā ‘o e mape, fakaikiiki’i hono mape faka’enisinia.
Na’e kamata e fo’i fakakaukau mo e ngaue mo hono palani e hala fakakavakava ko eni ‘i he National Infrastructure Investment Plan 2013-2023. Na’e kamata’I ‘e he fo’i timi Consultation Team, ko e Talekita e PUMA, mo ‘enau kau ngaue pea pehe ki he va’a ‘enisinia e MOI moe va’a National Social Safeguards Specialist, mo e ADB consultant, mo e National Environmental Safeguard Specialists ‘a ia na’a nau fakahoko e ngaahi fakahoko fatongia consultation ke talatalanoa mo e kakai´. Ko e ngaue ko eni´ ne lava ia ‘o kakato hono fakahoko.
Na’e lava ke maau maim o e ngaahi me’a fakapa’anga ‘a ia ‘oku fakapa’anga eni ‘e he Asian Development Bank (ADB) pea mo e World Bank pea pehe foki mo e Pule’anga Tonga ‘oku nau fakapa’anga ‘a e ngaue ni.
Ko e project ko eni ki he hala fakakavakava´ na’e fakalele pe ia ‘e he PMU mei he Potungaue Ngaahi Ngaue Lalahi, talu mei he 2013, ha’u ai ki he 2016 pea hoko atu ki he 2017 – Sepitema 2019, pea hoko mai ki Me 2021, to e hoko atu ai 2022-2024 pea hoko mai ai ki he 2025 pea ko eni ko e 2026 eni ‘oku tau ‘i ai.
Ko e fehu’i leva ‘oku pehe ni:
Na’e ‘osi maa unai e map emo e design ‘o e hala fakakavakava ‘i Fanga’uta kef ai e aleapau ngaue pea tanu pou ke kamata?
Ko e tali ki ai, ‘IO na’e ‘osi maau pe ia.
Ko e fehu’I hoko leva, ko e ha e ‘uhinga ne toe toloi ai?
Ko e ha e ‘uhinga ne toe fai ai e redesign pea toe fakafoki ki Siapani ke toe redesign mai e mape?
Ko e ha e ‘uhinga ne toe fai ai e ngaahi liliu ki he ‘alu ‘anga e hala fakakavakava?
Ko e ha e ‘uhinga ‘oku tuai ai?
Ko e ha e palopalema?
Tau vakai pe ki ai:
Ko e pepa fakamuimui eni ne fakahu he kapineti ‘o e ‘aho 11 ‘o Ma’asi 2021 ‘o mahino ai heni ne ‘osi maau e mape ia. Ko e mape eni ne ‘osi maau ia ke kamata e hala fakakavakava ko e toe pe ki’i fo’i ‘api ‘e taha ‘I mui ‘I ‘Umusi, Ma’ufanga kae kakato. Te tau ‘ilo eni mei he pepa kapineti ko eni na’e fakahu ki he kapineti ke noted ‘i he ‘aho 11 Ma’asi 2021.
Tau vakai pe ki he peesi 5 ‘o e pepa kapineti ko eni:
2) DETAILED ENGINEERING DESIGN
THE DETAILED ENGINEERING DESING FOR THE BRIDGE PROJECT IS 95% COMPLETE. THE REMAINING 5% CONSIST OF THE ADDITIONAL SCOPE ALONG NIULOA ROAD IN ‘UMUSI CONNECTING TO ALAIVAHAMAMA’O ROAD. THE INITIAL COST ESTIMATE FOR CIVIL WORKS ONLY IS USD $89 MILLION, THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE CONSULTANCY SERVICES OF SUPERVISORY ENGINEERING FIRM , PMU , TAXES AND DUTIES, AND OTHER ASSOCIATED PROJECT COST. THE COST IS HIGHER THAN THE AVAILABLE ADB FUNDING ENVELOPE FOR TONGA ACROSS SEVERAL YEARS. THIS FUNDING GAP ISSUE HIGHLIGHTS THE NEED TO FURTHER OPTIMIZE THE DESIGN OF THE BRIDGE AND HAVE MORE CLARITY AND CERTAINTY IN THE COST ESTIMATES.
‘I he taimi tatau na’e ‘i ai e fika fakaangaanga e mahu’inga ki he lahi e pa’anga ki he land acquisition mo e resettlement plan na’e fakafuofua ‘e ‘i he pa’anga ‘e $5.5 miliona pea ko e fakafuofua ki ha fo’i ‘api e kakai ‘e toko 10 -15 ‘e ngalingali ‘e kau mai honau ngaahi konga ‘api ki he ‘alu’anga ‘o e hala fakakavakava pea na’e fakafuofua ‘e maau atu e land compensation ki he ngaue ko eni ki he ta’u fakapa’anga 2021-2022. Pea ko e fokotu’utu’u ia ‘oku ha he peesi 7 ‘o e pepa kapineti ko eni.
Ko e project mahu’inga eni. ‘I he peesi 8 ‘o e pepa kapineti ki he toll collection mo e fakafuofua ki he totongi hu pe ko ia ko e estimated toll fee of at least TOP$0.20. Kapau ko e seniti ‘e 20 ‘e ma’u mei ai e $445,220. Kapau ko e seniti ‘e 50, ‘e ma’u mei ai e $922,527. Kapau ko e $1.00 ‘e ma’u mei ai e $1,524,176. Kapau ko e pa’anga ‘e $2.00 ‘e ma’u mei ai e $2 miliona he ta’u.
Ko e tu’unga ia e fakafuofua lahi e pa’anga ‘e tanaki he ta’u kotoa pe. Ko e tukuaki’I ko ia ne te’eki ai ke maau e mape ki he hala fakakavakava kimu’a pea fakamo’oni e aleapau ngaue mo fai e tanu pou ‘e he ‘ene ‘Afio, ne ‘osi maau pe ia. Pea mo e ngaahi me’a fakakelekele ne ‘osi maau pe mo ia ‘o fakatatau ki he lao kelekele 141, 142, 143 pea ‘osi maau mo hono pa’anga mei he ongo pangike pea pehe foki mo e Pule’anga Tonga´.
Ko e ‘isiu lahi eni pea ‘oku fu’u fiema’u ke ‘ohake ke ‘ilo’i ‘e he kakai´ pe ko hai heni ‘oku loi?
Ko e fakamtala mei he pule’anga ‘o e 2026 ne nau tukuaki’i ‘o pehe ne te’eki ai ke maau e mape ia ‘o e hala fakakavakava ‘i Fanga’uta pea ko e taha ia e ‘uhinga ‘oku toloi aie ngaue pea toe totongi ai mo e fu’u pa’anga ‘e laulau miliona ko e totongi tomui.
Ko e fehu’i, ko hai heni ‘oku loi?
Ko e ngaahi fehu’i ke fai ha ‘uluaki sio ki ai:
1. Ko e fē ha fakamo’oni fakapepa e taimi ne kamata ai e ngaue ki hono tā e mape ko eni´ ‘o e hala fakakavakava’ i Fanga’uta?
2. Ko e hai e hingoa e kautaha mei muli na’a nau kamata mai ai hono tā e mape ‘o e hala fakakavakava?
3. Ko e mape ko eni´ na’e ‘osi ia ‘anefe? Taimi mo e ta’u? Pea ko hai e Minisita ‘o e ngaahi ngaue lalahi na’a ne kamata mai ‘o ha’u ai?
4 Ko hai e ‘Eiki Palemia na’a ne kamata mai e ngaue ke langa e hala fakakavakava ko eni´?
5. Ko e ha e tu’unga ne ‘i a e mape ko eni ‘i Ma’asi ‘aho 11 2021? Ko e fehu’i ko e peseti ‘e fiha ne ‘osi he mape ‘o e hala fakakavakava i he’ene a’u mai ki he 2021 Ma’asi ‘aho 11?
6 Ko e tukuaki’i ko ia ke pehē ne teeki ai ke maau e mape, ‘oku mo’oni nai ia pe ko e loi?
7 Ko e toe tukuaki’i ko ia ki he me’a fakakelekele ‘o pehe ko e mo’oni nai ia pe ko e loi?
8 Ka ko e hā e ‘uhinga totonu ke toe redesigned ai e mape ‘o e hala fakakavakava mei Siapani ‘i he 2026 ?
9 Ko e ha te tau tui ki ai? Ki he fakamatala ngutu pē ta’e ‘omai ha fakamo’oni fakapepa? Ko hai heni ‘oku ne lohiaki’i e kakai´ mo e tama tui´?
Ko e fehu’i mahu’inga ‘oku ‘ohake ‘e he kakai ‘o e fonua´ pē ‘oku ma’u nai ‘a e fakamaau totonu´ ‘e he uitou mo si’ono ongo foha mo hono famili´ ‘o felavai mo honau konga kelekele ‘eka ‘e 1 luti ‘e 1 pole 31 ‘oku tu’u ‘i ‘umusī he feitu’u ‘oku taku ko ‘aa. ‘Oku pehē ‘e he fakamatala kuo tuku mai mei he Pule’anga Tonga´, ‘e liliu hifo e ‘alu’anga ‘o e hala fakakavakava´ mei ‘Umusi mei he feitu’u ne ‘uluaki fai ki ai e femahino’aki.
Ko e konga eni na’e fai ai e fakamo’oni loi ia e toko taha ‘oku ne lisi ta’u ‘e 20 ai, toe pe ta’u ‘e 10, he tohi ko ia e ‘ea mo e ma’utofi’a. Kae hili ia ‘oku loi ia. Pea ko e fo’i ‘api ko ia ‘oku lisi ia he ‘uluaki fakamo’oni hingoa ki ai e toko taha muli. Ko e makatu’unga ‘o e lisi ko eni´ ko e pisinisi, ka na’e ‘ikai ke hoko ia. Ko e tokotaha ko eni´ na’a ne maumau’i e lao ‘o e hia ‘i he faito’o konatapu, pea ne osi faka’ilo hia ia ‘o mo’ua, pea malu’i ia ki tu’a. ‘I hono peila ki tu’a´, na’e hola ai e tokotaha ni mei Tonga ni ki Siaina ‘o pulia ai pe ‘o ‘au ki he ‘aho ni. ‘A ia kuo ne ‘osi maumau’i ‘e ia e ngaahi makatu’unga ‘o e fo’i lisi ko ia´. ‘Oku ‘ikai ke ngata ai, kā kuo ne toe taki hala’i e Savea´ mo e Pule’anga ‘aki ‘ene fakahā ko e ‘eka ‘e 4 ‘oku ‘i he 12 miliona pea toe holo hifo 10 miliona e ‘eka ‘e 4 ‘oku ne lisi.
Ko e taha ‘o e palopalema ‘oku toe ‘asi hake mei he ngaahi ma’u’anga fakamatala e Pule’anga ‘o kau ki he fo’i ‘eka ‘e 1 luti e 1 mo e pole 31 ‘ oku tu’u pe he feitu’u tatau ko e konga ia hono ua e ‘eka ‘e 5 na’e ‘osi momoi ai e ‘eka ‘e 1 luti ‘e 1 pole 31 na’e foaki ia he kei mo’ui e tamai a Roy Fauolo ‘i he aho 27 ‘o Sepitema 2006 kā ‘oku fakatonutonu atu he ‘ave hala’i ‘o tala ko e 2008. ‘Oku hala ia ‘oku ‘ikai ko e 2008 ‘o hange ko e fakamatala ‘oku ‘omai he Pule’anga Tonga kā ko e ‘aho 27 ‘o Sepitema 2006. ‘Oku fiema’u pe ke tau ‘ave me’a mo’oni mo totonu ki he kakai´. ‘Okapau ‘e ‘ikai, ‘e ma’u hala e kakai´ mo ‘Ene ‘Afio´.
Fakatokanga’i ange ko e fo’i ‘api tukuhau ‘o e hoa e uitou, Mr. Selevasio Fauola ‘a ia na’a ne ‘osi lesisita ‘e ia hono ‘apitukuhau ‘i he ta’u 1949 pea ko e deed ‘o e api ‘uta no. 248 folio 83 ‘a ia na’a ne osi foaki pe power of attorney ‘i he ‘aho 17 ‘o Fepueli 2008 ki hono foha lahi Mr. Major Tuifaletahi Fauola ke ne fakafofonga’i ia ko hono foha lahi pea ko e foha ‘ea ia ki he ‘api tukuhau ko eni ‘oku tu’u ‘i ‘Umusi ko e ‘eka ‘e 5.
Pea kau ai pe mo ‘ene muimui’i e tohi momoi ko eni´ ke lava ke fakakakato ‘a e fakamo’oni ‘a e ‘eiki ma’utofi’a he tohi tala api, mo e momoi ne osi tali ‘ehe kapienti he 2007 ‘o fai mai ai eni ki he 2026 ‘oku te’eki ai pe lava ‘e he ‘eiki ma’utofi’a ia ‘o fakamao’oni ai.
Neongo kuo ‘osi fakauitou ai ‘a ‘ene fa’ēe ko Mesia Fauolo pea ‘i he taimi tatau ‘oku nau nofo Hauai’i pea kuo ‘osi pekia Mr. Selevasio Fauola ko e tamai; ‘i he 2020 mo e te’eki ai pe lava e ‘eiki mautofi’a ia ‘o fakamo’oni he tohi tala’api kuo osi momoi pea osi tali ‘e he Kapienti.
‘Oku kau eni he ‘isiū faka’ofa mo’oni mo valeloto he ngaahi ‘uhinga ko eni:
1. Ko e si’i fefine uitou eni. Kuo si’i mole hono hoa, ka ‘oku si’i fakauitou, pea ‘oku faka’ofa he ko e fefine uitou pea oku ngali vale mo fakamamahi ke tau fakamamahi’i ha uitou he founga ta’e toka’i mo ‘ikai ke lava ke tau ma’u ha ki’i miniti pe sekoni pe aa ke tau lava ‘o talanoa ki ai ke lava ke fakakakato e me’a fakapepa kae lava ke lesisita e fo’i talaapi kuo osi fakamo’oni’i pea ‘osi tali ‘e he ‘Eiki Minisitia Malōlō Lord Tuita moe Kapienti ‘o e 2007.
Fakatatau ki he fakamatala faka’ofa ‘a e uitou si’ene toutou feinga mo feinga mo toutou folau mai mei Hauai’i ki Tonga ni mo e te’eki ai pe lava ia ke ma’u ha taimi ‘o e ‘eiki ma’utofi’a´ ke talaoa mo e uitou´ mo hono foha lahi´ mo e foha fika ua´ ‘a ia ‘oku totonu ko ia ‘oku ‘a’ana e fo’i ‘eka ‘e 1 luti ‘e 1 pole 31 ‘a ia ne ‘osi momoi ki ai ‘ehe ‘ene tamai pea osi tali ‘ehe Kapienti ‘a ‘Ene ‘Afio´ ‘i he 2007.
Na’a ne pehē na’e toutou ha’u he meimei ta’u kotoa pe mei Hauai’i ki Tonga ke kole mo feinga’i hano taimi ke lava ai ke tali ‘ehe nopele ma’utofi’a ia kena talanoa pea ke fakamo’oni he tohi tala ‘api mo e ‘ikai pe. Na’e ha’u he 2007, 2008, 2010 – 2022 mo e ‘ikai pe lava ia ke talanoa mai. Na’e toe ha’u 2023-2026 mo e ‘ikai pe lava ia ke sio mai ki ai. Taimi lahi ‘oku ‘alu atu ko ‘ene sekelitali pe, pea ‘eke ange ‘e he sekelitali pe ko hai pea ne talaange hono hingoa. Pea tā e sekelitali, taimi nounou pe kuo fakahā ange ‘ehe sekelitali ‘oku talamai ke drop ange pē ‘ene ngaahi me’a fakapepa´ he ko hono ‘uhinga ‘oku ‘ikai ha taimi ia e ‘eiki ma’utofi’a ke sio ange ki ai he ‘oku iai ‘ene fakataha ia ‘a’ana pea ‘oku mo’ua ia ki ai.
Pehē ‘e he uitou, ko e tali tatau pe ia ‘oku toutou ‘oange he taimi kotoa. A’u mai ki he 2025 na’e ha’u ai tu’o 3 ki Tonga ni ‘o feinga kole ai pe ki ha faingamalie talanoa moe ‘eiki ma’utofi’a Lord Fakafanau mo e ‘ikai pe ke ne tali. Ko eni na’e toe ha’u ki Tonga ni he 2026 ‘o fai e feinga mo e ‘ikai pe lava ia ke ma’u hano faingamalie mo e uitou ke sio ki ai. Ko e tu’unga totonu ia o’ku ‘I ai e isiū ki he fo’i kelekeke ‘i ‘Umusi´ ‘a ia ‘oku toe liliu ki ai e hala fakakavakava´ ‘o kehe ia mei he me’a ne ‘osi maau he 2025. Toe kehe ia mei he fakapepa fakamuimui taha fakapule’anga´ ‘a ia ko e environmental and social impact assesssment na’e ‘osi tukuange ki tu’a ki he public ‘i Sepitema 2025, nae ui ko e Tonga: Sustainable Ecomomic Corridors and Urban Resilience Project Fanga’uta Lagoon Bridge (annexes, part 3 of 5) Prepared by the Ministry of Infrastructure of Tonga for the Asian Developement Bank (ADB) & World Bank pea ne nau tali ke fakapa’anga e project pea ne fakamo’oni ai e aleapau ngaue ko eni ‘i Sepitema 2025, pea tanupou ‘e he ‘Ene ‘Afio ‘i ‘Okatopa 2025 pea mole Puleanga ‘o Dr ‘Aisake Eke ‘i he fili Palemia ‘i Tisema 2025.
Hoko mai ai ‘a Lord Fakafanau ko e Palemia ‘i Sanuali 2026 – ‘Aokosi 2026 meimei mahina eni e 8 mei ai.
Ne a’u mai ai ki Fepueli 2026 kuo hā mai ai e ngaahi liliu foou, pea kau ai mo e ngaahi invoices mei he contractors ko e USD$8 miliona ko e totongi tomui, pea holoki hifo ki he USD$7.2 milliona, pea ‘i he ’ene ma’u mai ko ia´, kuo fakahā ‘e he Pule’anga lolotonga´ ‘oku toe ‘I ai e redesigned ki he mape´, pea he ‘ikai ke maau ia he taimi ni, ngalingali e osi mai ki sepitema 2026. Ka ko eni kuo osi fakahā ‘e he Palemia ‘i Sune 2026 mo Siulai 2026 he press conference ko e me’a pe ua ‘oku kei toe pea lele ngaue:
1. Ko e mape´ ne teeki ai maau mai kae lava ke kamata. ‘A ia ‘oku pehē ko Sepitema ‘e ‘osi mai ki ai.
2. Ko e ongo fo’i ‘api pe ‘e 2 ‘oku toe ki he tafa’aki ki Ma’ufanga ‘Umusī pea kuo ‘osi maau ‘a e fa’ahi ia ki Folaha´.
Ko eni kuo a’u mai ki ‘Aokosi 2026´ kuo toe ‘omai e ngaahi me’a fo’ou ki he kakai ‘o e fonua´. Kae talamai ia i ‘Aokosi 2026 kuo ‘osi maau ‘a e tafa’aki ia ki umusii ‘osi ‘ikai ha toe isiū ia ki he kelekeke´ he kuo ne ‘osi ‘omai ‘e ia e faile e ongo project mei he Potungaue Fonua´ ki he ‘Ofisi Palemia pea kuo ne toe fakahā mai e me’a fo’ou ia i he mahina ko ‘Aokosi 2026 ‘oku toe ‘I ai e fono ne fai ‘i Longoteme pea ‘oku toe ‘I ai e ngaahi ‘api ia ‘oku ofi nai ki he 10 ‘oku te’eki ai ke lava ia ‘o solova pea ‘oku kei fai ‘ene talanoa kiate kinautolu. Ko e ki’i konga si’isi’i pe eni ia ‘oku tuku atu ki he tu’unga ‘oku ‘I ai e hala fakakavakava´ ke me’a ki ai e kakai´ i he ‘ene a’u mai ki he aho ni.
ko e konga kelekeke ko ia ne ‘osi momoi ia pea toe pe ke fakamo’oni e ‘eiki ma’utofi’a´, pea ko e taufetuli ko ia mei he 2006 na’e fakahū atu ai e tohi momoi ki he ‘Eiki Ministā Lord Tuita he ‘aho ko ia ‘oku kei mo’ui lelei pē tamai ‘a Roy Salakielu Fauolo pea tali ai pe mei he kapienti i he 2007.
