Tonga’s Deputy Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni and the Chinese Ambassador to Tonga, Wang Baodong have signed the handover certificate of the St. George Palace Project.
The TOP$28 million project funded by China commenced on November 18, 2015 and was proposed to have been completed by August 31.
However, construction was completed on May 17, 2017.
A statement said construction of the Comprehensive Office Building Project contract was assigned to the Shanghai Construction Group Co., Ltd after the Government of the People’s Republic of China and the Tongan Government reached an agreement with the company through friendly consultations.
The project covers approximately floor area of 5745m² and will house The Prime Minister, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Finance and National Planning and others as well as provision of furniture and kitchen equipment.
Over 90 per cent of the Utilities Commission testing have been completed which included Fire Emergency and Health Issues.
After a joint inspection, both parties unanimously agreed that the building meets the requirement for acceptance.
Photo by Government of Tonga