NPGA Handover to the Ministry of Fisheries

2022/12/21
H.E. Mr. MUNENAGA Kensaku, Ambassador of Japan to Tonga with Lord Fohe, Acting Minister for Fisheries and the NPGA assistance of aquaculture equipment
His Excellency Mr. MUNENAGA Kensaku, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Tonga handed over aquaculture equipment funded through Japan’s Non-Project Grant Aid Assistance, NPGA to Tonga’s Ministry of Fisheries on Monday, 19 December 2022.
 
Lord Fohe, Acting Minister for Fisheries received the donated equipment at the Ministry’s Office in Sopu, Nuku’alofa.
 
This NPGA is the first batch of the $1.5million US dollar assistance signed in May this year, and consisting of 20 tally counter, 10 diving computers, 4 underwater cameras and 3 water quality meters. Additional research equipment such as pickup trucks, research boats and other equipment are expected to arrive next year.  
 
H.E. Mr. MUNENAGA in addressing the occasion said, “Fisheries Industry is very important for the people of Tonga, especially for your livelihood. When  Hunga-Tonga Hunga-Haapai erupted, the Fisheries Industry was severely damaged by the ensuing tsunami waves. Since the disaster, the people and the Government of Japan have been supporting Tonga in various ways. Apart from the Emergency relief assistances at the initial stage provided by our Self-Defense Force, today’s assistance aims to provide necessary things for the long-term development of the fisheries industries.   
 
“I am very proud that since 1970’s Japan has contributed to the development of Tonga’s fishery. Today’s provisions may seem small but, I believe, their significance to your Ministry will be manifold,” stated the Ambassador.  
 
Lord Fohe, acknowledged the assistance from the people and Government of Japan addressing the impacts of the Hunga-Tonga Hunga-Ha’apai volcanic eruption at the beginning of the year. “On behalf of the Government of Tonga and the Ministry of Fisheries, I would like to express our sincere thanks and appreciation to the people and the Government of Japan for this great donation.”
 
“These goods are of importance for aquaculture and fish farming, and for other coastal fisheries research activities,” he said.
 
Japan’s NPGA has benefitted many Government Ministries of Tonga through providing multimillion worth of equipment to promote economic and social development of Tonga.