Tonga Government

Last month, El Niño was officially declared for the kingdom by the Tonga Meteorology Service.

Prime Minister Hu'akavameiliku Siaosi Sovaleni said the drought season is a pressing issue, especially for the outer islands.

He told local media that the government's main concern is to provide sufficient water resources for the outer islands.

Tongatapu and 'Eua are already in drought conditions, drought warnings are in place for Ha'apai and Vava'u Island divisions, and drought alerts are in place for Niua-toputapu and Niua-fo'ou.

 Acting Government Statistician, Sione Lolohea said they are aiming to use gender data to monitor, evaluate and make informed decisions regarding the SDG Goal 5 and how the country is faring on the targets.

Sustainable Development Goal 5 concerns gender equality and is fifth of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals established by United Nations in 2015.

More than 30 participants from government ministries and NGOs were taken through a series of lectures to enhance their skills and knowledge about gender data and how it is used for SDG monitoring.

The set of equipment includes diving computers, underwater cameras and tally counters.

Japan's Ambassador  Kensaku Munenaga presented the equipment to the Minister of Fisheries Lord Fohe.

A government statement said, “”This assistance is the first batch of a USD$1.5 milion under Japan's Non-Project Grant Aid signed in May this year with the Ministry.”

“Additional batches are expected to arrive next year, from pickup trucks to research boats and other equipment.”

Deputy Prime Minister, Poasi Tei, Member for Tongatapu 6 and also the Minister for MEIDECC; Finance Minister Tatafu Moeaki, Member for Tongatapu 4 and the Minister for Internal Affairs Sangster Saulala, Member for Tongatapu 7 appealed against their bribery convictions in the lead up to the November 2021 General Election.

However, their appeals were dismissed by the Appeals Court, who declared their elections are void.

Restrictions include a midnight to 5am curfew, as well as mandatory mask wearing and social distancing at all times in public.

The public are prohibited from entering the four small islands of 'Atata, Makaha'a, Nukunukumotu and Mango, except for residents of these islands.

Travel restrictions have also been applied to the villages of Kanukupolu and Patangata on the main island of Tongatapu.

The new protocols comes as Tonga begins to open its borders, with the Kingdom now accepting two flights per week from New Zealand.

Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku announced the assistance at a virtual press conference in Nuku’alofa Wednesday.

Hu’akavameiliku said Cabinet approved the allocations at its meeting and the funds will be disbursed through the different ministries, departments and constituency offices around the country.

Education

Cabinet approved payment of fees for students in all secondary schools around the country for Term One and all primary school level outside of the government, mostly operated by the church education system or privately.

A family of four from Vaini and two individuals from Pili were tested positive and have been quarantined.

Prime Minister Hu'akavameiliku told media that road checkpoints have been set up, requiring anyone entering or leaving the villages to be tested.

"Efforts are underway today to contain and test everyone in Vaini and everyone in Pili, to understand the circumstances and the spread of the virus in these towns, according to these four and two new cases that have emerged," he said.

There are now 13 Covid-19 cases in Tonga.

Chinese Ambassador, Cao Xiaolin said “This is the first batch of grant-aid assistance from China to the new Tongan Government at the beginning of 2022.”

“More water tanks, farm tractors, computers, solar power street lights and police vehicles will be provided to the Tongan government and the Tongan people.”

The donated goods was received by the Prime Minister, Siaosi Sovaleni at the the Fa’onelua Convention Centre in Nuku’alofa, yesterday.

He thanked the Chinese Embassy for their support across a variety of sectors.

While most of the Cabinet are chosen from elected members of parlliament, there is also one appointed Minister, a woman, Fekitamoeloa Katoa 'Utoikamanu, who becomes the new Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Tourism.

The Prime Minister holds four major portfolios, taking on the police and the armed forces as well as education.

There is only one noble in the Cabinet, Lord Tu'i'afitu, the new Minister for Lands and Natural Resources.

Medical Superintendent, Dr ‘Ana ‘Akau’ola said the new variant has reached neighbouring countries of New Zealand and Fiji.

‘Akau’ola stressed that while not a lot is known about the variant, it does spread faster than the Delta variant and is not as severe.

 “I plead with the people in Tonga to please come and get vaccinated as it has been confirmed that the vaccine will reduce the effect of the illness in the person who has the virus.”

The Ministry of Health aims to fully vaccinate 70% of Tonga's total population of 105,924.