Japan assistance

The agreement was signed by Prime Minister Rev Dr Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa and the Ambassador of Japan to Tonga, Munenaga Kensaku this week.

The 207 million Japanese Yen (approximately US$1.9 million) additional funding will be used to complete the project.

Ambassador Kensaku said, “Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the new headquarters building of TBC was successfully built and handed over in July, 2020. However, as we are all aware, the NEWS project itself was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the equipment for upgrading TBC’s broadcasting has yet to be installed.”

The Foreign Ministry said Tuesday the grant aid will be used to secure cold-storage facilities, transport vehicles and other equipment necessary for the stable delivery of vaccines in those countries, including Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand, according to the ministry.

Japan aims to help ensure the delivery of vaccines "to each and every person in the all corners of developing countries" with the hope of containing the coronavirus pandemic as quickly as possible, it said, adding the aid will be delivered through the United Nations Children's Fund.