Tonga

No tsunami risk after large earthquake in Tonga

The tremor was at a depth of 106 kilometres, 84 kilometres north of the capital, Nuku'alofa.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre said there was no danger of a tsunami.

     

Tonga secures World Bank funding for Climate Resilience Transport Project

The Project development objective is to “improve the resilience of the transport sector in the Recipient’s territory, and in the event of an Eligible Crisis or Emergency, to provide immediate response in such Eligible Crisis or Emergency”

The Ministry of Infrastructure is the Implementing Agency for the TCRTP and is responsible for the achievement of the Project Development Objective and the implementing of works and securing services and goods in order to effectively and efficiently implement the Project.

Tonga’s First lady laid to rest

Neomai is the wife of Prime Minister Akilisi Pohiva.

Her funeral service was held at the Free Wesleyan church in Sopu, where she worshipped.

She was laid to rest at Telekava 1 community cemetery in Kolomotu’a,

Kaniva News reports the Prime Minister’s 70-year-old wife, “died peacefully” after a long battle with cancer.

Following the news of her death, thousands took to Facebook to show their respects for the woman most regarded as the “mother of democrats” in Tonga.

King reappoints Kanitesi Mahe to Niukapu title

The appointment made Wednesday is effective from 30 November 2017.

Kaniva News reports the family of Lord Niukapu have celebrated the reappointment during a cultural ceremony and entertainment at Bay of Manumataongo in Nuku’alofa.

Tonga joins Global Green Growth Institute

The membership ceremony was held during the GGGI Council and Assembly meetings on 31 October 31 at its headquarters in Seoul, Korea where a Tongan Government representative, Emeline Veikoso Laumanu, Energy Efficiency Specialist Officer of the Department of Energy, Ministry of Metrology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change and Communication (MEIDECC) met with GGGI’s President, Ban Ki-Moon and the Director General, Dr. Frank Rijsberman.

Tonga police arrest drug suspect on Eua

The suspect was arrested on Thursday 13 December 2018 at Nafanua Wharf around 3:50 pm.

Inside the bag were 3.2 kilograms of cannabis suspected to have been intended for conveyance to Tongatapu on the domestic ferry that was to depart ‘Eua at 4:30 pm that day.

The Commander of the „Eua Police Station Inspector Loluhama Fine said, “We continue to focus on capturing and prosecuting those responsible for the supply of these destructive drugs that cause harm to our youths, families and our community.”

Tongan youth lack awareness of the dangers of meth

Elizabeth Kite is head of the NGO, Tonga Youth Leaders, and Pacific representative on the Commonwealth Youth Council.

Ms Kite acknowledges use of the illegal drug is a problem among youth and says it is one community leaders are taking seriously.

Her comments follow an appeal by a women and children's advocate for the country's leaders to meet and discuss the growing problem.

She said her organisation has gone out into the villages and met with drug dealers, consumers and other youth to discuss the matter.

Impeachment in Tonga is just talk - Fakafanua

In June a 3,000 strong signature petition to impeach the prime minister and seven of his cabinet ministers was submitted to parliament.

The petition also called for an urgent audit of specific expenditure over the last three years regarding the ministers and the Prime Minister 'Akilisi Pohiva.

Numerous reports have suggested parliament has struggled to deal with the issue over the past few months.

However, Fakafanua said there is currently nothing for him to deal with because no impeachment proceedings have been launched.

A Target Reference Point – the first step to a solution for high costs of tuna fishing in Tonga

That challenge, as well as the lack of proper educated fishing crews, the limited amount of tuna stock as an impact of Climate Change and other related issues was raised by Chief Executive Officer of Tonga’s Ministry of Fisheries Dr Tu’ikolongahau Halafihi during an interview with Radio Tonga at the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission’s 15th (WCPFC) Convention in Honolulu this week.

‘The albacore fishery is a lifeline for our people,’ Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) Director General Dr. Manumatavai Tupou-Roosen told Pacific Editors in Honolulu.

Plea for Tonga's leaders to discuss meth problem

'Ofa Guttenbeil-Likiliki said the use of meth or ice is rampant in the country and the impact can be seen among the people that come to the centre for help.

She said children have been referred because of addiction, meth-related suicides have occurred and numerous domestic violence cases involving users have been seen.

Ms Guttenbeil-Likiliki called on the leaders of the country to step up.