His Excellency Mr. Yukio Numata, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the Kingdom of Tonga congratulated the completion of the Project during a handover ceremony held at the water supply site in Tatakamotonga village. Hon. Penisimani Fifita, Minister for Education and Training who is also the People’s Representative of Tongatapu Constituency # 9 attended the ceremony along with the people of Tatakamotonga.
His Excellency Mr. Yukio Numata in his keynote address emphasized in Tongan language that this assistance is from the people of Japan in signifying of a healthier population for Tonga, and the warm friendship between our people, “ko e me’a’ofa eni mei he kakai ‘o Siapani, koe’uhi ko ‘enau mahu’inga’ia ‘i he moui lelei ‘a e kakai Tonga pehe foki he va faka-kaungame’a ‘a hota ongo fonua.”
The Ambassador expressed his joy in being able to assist Tatakamotonga Village in building its resilience against any sanitation problems caused by the lack of access to clean and plentiful water. He also applauded the collaboration of the Ministry of Finance and National Planning, the Contractor and the Village Water Committee in facilitating the project.
Hon. Penisimani Fifita in his vote of thanks acknowledged the assistance from the people and Government of Japan aiming at improving the physical infrastructure and providing better living standard for Tatakamotonga residents. “Japan has assisted Tonga in many ways in community development project and we are grateful for the generosity of the Government and People of Japan.”
Tatakamotonga Village Water Committee sought for Japan’s assistance in 2016 to upgrade a deteriorating water supply system hindering distribution of water supply to the 1,763 people residing in the village.
Japans Grant Assistance for Grass-Roots Human Security Projects was introduced in 1990 to response to various development needs in developing countries, and to date have granted over 270 projects in different sectors throughout Tonga. The assistance epitomize Japan’s commitment to support efforts by the People and the Government of Tonga to achieve its National Strategic Planning Framework, and also hope to strengthen the warm and close relations between the people and the Government of Japan and the people of the Kingdom of Tonga.
H.E. Mr. Numata, Hon. Fifita and the people of Tatakamotonga Village in front of the new water supply system
For further information on the project, please click the above