27th June, 2017 The Waste Authority Ltd (WAL) received five vehicles worth USD$107,491 from Japan’s 2017 Grant Assistance for Grass-Roots Human Security Projects (GGP), after a signing ceremony between the Japanese Ambassador HE Mr. Yukio Numata and WAL’s CEO Mr. Lomu Sika, at the Ministry of Finance and National Planning, this afternoon.
The assistance included 2 waste collection vehicles for Vava’u: 1 dump truck; and 1 septic truck; and 1 waste collection vehicle for Ha’apai,
HE Mr. Yukio Numana said, “Establishing a reliable waste management service for all the Kingdom’s islands has been a challenge for Tonga and other Pacific Island countries as well. Even though Waste Authority has successfully introduced an effective waste management service in Tongatapu, the outer islands have yet to experience the same advantage.”
“This GGP project is in cooperation with JICA’s multi-million pa’anga J-PRISM project, which is a major scheme to be implemented across the Pacific region for the development of sustainable waste management strategies. The goal is to address the needs for establishing waste management services in the outer islands, such as Vava’u and Ha’apai.”
Ambassador Numata stated that the assistance contributes to the endeavors of the Tongan Government in its Strategic Development Framework 2015-2025 to lessen pollution and improve waste management.
“We can also contribute to the efforts of the Government of Tonga in the ‘Tonga Strategic Development Framework of 2015-2025’ of ensuring that there is ‘Cleaner environments and less pollution from households and business activities building on improved waste management, minimizing and recycling, making conditions safer, healthier and more pleasant for residents and visitors’, not to mention the new Environment Act which was established recently.”
Ambassador Numata stated, “We hope that the vehicles deployed to Vava’u and Ha’apai would be a symbol of our friendship and cooperation in achieving a bright future. We are looking forward to many more projects that will connect and strengthen the direct bonds of our people.”
CEO of WAL Mr. Lomu Sika said the vehicles will help provide waste management services to Ha’apai and Vava’u.
“In October 2016, the Tonga Government approved WAL to extend its services to the outer islands. This coincides with the launching of J-PRISM stage II in Vava’u and we are glad to work together with JICA, MEIDECC, MOH, MOPE, Ministry of Infrastructure and Tourism, Governor’s Office in Vava’u and also the Governor’s Office in Ha’apai to ensure the service is delivered in the most efficient and cost effective manner.”
“We have planned to commence waste collection services in Vava’u in January 2018.”
Mr. Lomu also expressed his sincere gratitude to Ambassador Numata and the people and Government of Japan for their ongoing support and assistance.
Present in the Grant Signing Ceremony were the Ministers of the Crown, Governor of Ha’apai, Government CEOs and guests.
ENDS
Issued by the: Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change & Communications.