New meteorological and MEIDECC office for ‘Eua commissioned this week ^Featured

He added that the project work that we commemorate today is the: ENHANCING OF DISASTER PREPAREDNESS OF TONGA, that was a joint agreement between the Government of Tonga and the Government of Australia through the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade (DFAT) Aid Program.

It was a project that started in 2012 to assist the Tonga Meteorological Service to support disaster preparedness for Tonga through building the capacities within the meteorology department.

The newly appointed Deputy Director for Meteorological Service, Mr, Laitia Fifita, who is now the Acting Director, outlined in his welcoming speech the project as follows:

Component 1:

To enhance contingency communications within the National Weather Forecasting Centre (NWFC), the National Emergency Management Office (NEMO), and the Tonga Broadcasting Commission (TBC) which includes the following activities:

• Procurement and installation of VSAT satellite terminals to enhance meteorological communications during severe weather events & its Maintenance
• Procurement of Satellite phone kits
• Procurement and installation of Very High Frequency (VHF) radios at the Tonga and ‘Eua MET Office, National Emergency Management Office , Tonga Geological Services, Broadcom (FM87.5) and the Tonga Broadcasting Commission.
• Procurement and installation of a prefabricated container office for the ‘Eua Meteorological station which evolved into this state-of-the-art building of the New ‘Eua Meteorological Office.

Component 2:

To improve emergency power supply at the Vava’u Meteorological Station, which included the following activities:

• Procurement and installation of automatic switch standby generators at the Vava’u MET Office, training, maintenance and construction of generator shed

Component 3:

To improve the capacity of the NWFC to respond to tsunami and Tropical Cyclones which included the following activities:

• Funding the attendance of the Tonga Meteorological staff’s in Tsunami and Tropical Cyclone working group meetings and competency trainings.

This project work started off in June 2012 with a budget of only $AUD 7000 and had evolved over time to a total project lump sum of $AUD 184,700 and was completed in February 2020, with all key objectives successfully implemented. The highlight of the project is the new building that we are commissioning today.

“It is a privilege for the Government of Tonga to have received the assistance of the Government of Australia through the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade (DFAT) Aid Program to build this new office”, the Hon. Minister for MEIDECC emphasized during his inaugural address.

Tonga is ranked number 2 in the world risk index of the most vulnerable countries to the effects of natural disasters, and the trend of natural disasters occurring is increasing, as well as its intensity.

The Government of Tonga recognizes the importance of early warning and early actions to help save lives and mitigate the negative impacts of these natural hazards and is investing close to 40 Million US Dollars in strengthening its Multi Hazard Early Warning System, with the assistance and close collaboration with our development partners.

“The works that has been accomplished today with the partnership of the Australian Government adds testimony to this framework in addressing Multi-Hazard Early Warning Systems, particularly in the establishment and development of our weather forecasting capability, capacity building and modernization of equipment”, says the Hon. Minister for MEIDECC.

This new meteorological and MEIDECC office for ‘Eua, which will also serve as the Emergency Operation Centre for natural disasters for ‘Eua.

The Honorable Minister also acknowledged the generous support from the Australian Government and the efforts and assistance from the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of MEIDECC and the Tonga Meteorological Service, who all played a part in making project and partnership a very successful mission.

It is hoped for that the office we are commissioning today will provide the purpose it was designed and built for, to give us timely, accurate and modern weather forecast and effective multi hazard early warning system with the ultimate priority of saving our lives and properties at times of natural disasters.