Exchange of Notes on Japan’s NPGA for Provision of Tonga’s new Tugboat Featured
6 September, 2021. His Excellency Mr. MUNENAGA Kensaku, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Tonga and the Honourable Rev. Dr. Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa, Prime Minister of Tonga signed and exchanged notes for Japan’s Non Project Grant Aid for the provision of a new tugboat on Friday, 3 September 2021, at the Prime Minister’s Office, Nuku‘alofa.
Present at the event were Mr. Sione ‘Akauola, CEO for Ministry of Public Enterprises, Mr. Alokihakau Maileseni, Acting CEO Ports Authority Tonga, Mr. Daniel Fale, Chairman of the Shared Transport Sector, Father ‘Ekuasi Manu of the Roman Catholic Church, and Government Officials of related Ministries.
Japan’s Non-Project Grant Aid assistance, or NPGA will provide a new tugboat valued at approximately10 million US dollars for which Tonga’s Ministry of Public Enterprises and Ports Authority Tonga will be responsible.
His Excellency Mr. MUNENAGA emphasized that, “maritime transportation is vital for an islands country like Tonga and Japan, and it is necessary for Tonga to enhance its maritime transportation capability for furthering economic prosperity in the Kingdom.”
“Japan’s most important vision for this Region is the “Free and Open Indo-Pacific”, and we are pursuing stability and prosperity for the International Community based on the dynamics of combining two continents and two oceans. One of the three pillars of this vision is to help developing countries pursue economic prosperity through high-quality Japanese infrastructure, and today’s NPGA is in line with it,” he said.
Hon. Rev. Dr. Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa, Prime Minister of Tonga extended appreciation to the Government and people of Japan for committing to provide a new tugboat to Tonga. “Japan recognizes the gravity and the urgent need for a new tugboat for a safer, reliable and continuous tugboat service and we are grateful for your continued valuable assistance throughout the years,” said the Prime Minister. “Japan has assisted Tonga in different forms which greatly facilitated Tonga’s development in various aspects and improvement of people’s livelihood.”
Tonga’s transportation sector have benefitted from various Japanese assistances over the years, including the construction of Fua’amotu International Airport, provision of the domestic vessel MV ‘Otuanga’ofa, construction of the Taufa’ahau Tupou IV Domestic Wharf, and the current tugboat “Hifofua” which was donated by Japan in 1994.
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