NPGA Signing Ceremony for Tonga’s Ministry of Revenue and Customs
2022/9/29
Hon. Samiu Kuita Vaipulu, Acting Prime Minister and H.E. Mr. MUNENAGA Kensaku, Ambassador of Japan
His Excellency Mr. MUNENAGA Kensaku, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Tonga and Honourable Samiu Kuita Vaipulu, Acting Prime Minister of Tonga signed on the Exchange of Notes on Japan’s Non Project Grant Aid for the provision of anti-illicit drug equipment to Tonga’s Ministry Revenue and Customs on Tuesday, 27 September 2022, at the Fa‘onelua Convention Centre.
Japan’s NPGA valued at about USD$3million dollar will provide patrol boats, portable raman spectrometers and trace detection system machines, or the TDS, to combat illicit drug in the Kingdom.
In addressing the occasion, H.E. Mr. MUNENAGA said that illicit drug is one of the most challenging issue for Tonga and it is getting worse. “The bulk of illegal drugs are smuggled into Tonga through unlawful activities, including ship-to-ship transfers. So, the patrol boats are really important for the customs to do its job not only for illegal drugs but also other smugglings.”, “Other machines, both portable Raman spectrometers and TDS, are very effective detection machines. They can detect concealed illicit drugs or other dangerous products through scanning or analysing the surface of cargos or personal mails imported to Tonga.”, the Ambassador said.
Hon. Samiu Vaipulu Acting Prime Minister expressed the Government of Tonga’s profound gratitude to the People and Government of Japan for the significant assistance. He said the assistance will move Tonga forward in safer and secure border control. Tonga’s Ministry of Police will also benefit from these equipment to be provided.
Japan’s NPGA have benefitted many Government Ministries of Tonga, funding multimillion worth of equipment, promoting economic and social development of recipient ministries.
Japan’s NPGA valued at about USD$3million dollar will provide patrol boats, portable raman spectrometers and trace detection system machines, or the TDS, to combat illicit drug in the Kingdom.
In addressing the occasion, H.E. Mr. MUNENAGA said that illicit drug is one of the most challenging issue for Tonga and it is getting worse. “The bulk of illegal drugs are smuggled into Tonga through unlawful activities, including ship-to-ship transfers. So, the patrol boats are really important for the customs to do its job not only for illegal drugs but also other smugglings.”, “Other machines, both portable Raman spectrometers and TDS, are very effective detection machines. They can detect concealed illicit drugs or other dangerous products through scanning or analysing the surface of cargos or personal mails imported to Tonga.”, the Ambassador said.
Hon. Samiu Vaipulu Acting Prime Minister expressed the Government of Tonga’s profound gratitude to the People and Government of Japan for the significant assistance. He said the assistance will move Tonga forward in safer and secure border control. Tonga’s Ministry of Police will also benefit from these equipment to be provided.
Japan’s NPGA have benefitted many Government Ministries of Tonga, funding multimillion worth of equipment, promoting economic and social development of recipient ministries.
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