Japan’s GGP Handover of the Secondhand Fire Truck for Ha’apai Airport
2026/7/2
On 30 June, His Excellency Mr. INAGAKI Hisao, Ambassador of Japan to the Kingdom of Tonga, handed over a refurbished secondhand fire truck to the Tonga Airport Limited through Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grassroots Projects (GGP). The ceremony was attended by Hon. Hu’akavameiliku, Minister for Public Enterprises, Dr. Fotu Fisi’iahi, CEO of the Ministry of Public Enterprises, Mr. Kaitu’u Fotu, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Tonga Airport Limited, Mr. Poasi Tei, CEO of Tonga Airport Limited, and other officials from various ministries.
The fire truck was donated from Aridagawa Town, Wakayama Prefecture, through the Society for Promotion of Japanese Diplomacy.
In his remarks, Ambassador INAGAKI expressed his pleasure to hand over the fire truck, which will enhance disaster preparedness at Ha’apai Airport, and stated “I hope that this vehicle will contribute to ensuring constant emergency readiness during airport operations, strengthening aviation safety, and enhancing the resilience of the Ha'apai community as a whole. I sincerely hope that this fire truck will be properly maintained and effectively utilized for many years to come.”
Hon. Hu’akavameiliku, referring to more than 300 projects funded through Japan’s GGP to date, expressed his gratitude for the assistance. He noted that this support would allow the Tonga Airport Limited to independently meet the necessary operational and safety requirements for Ha’apai Airport.
The Grant Assistance for Grassroots Projects (GGP) was introduced to the Kingdom of Tonga in 1990 to address community-level development needs in developing countries. To date, more than 300 projects spanning various sectors have been implemented.
The fire truck was donated from Aridagawa Town, Wakayama Prefecture, through the Society for Promotion of Japanese Diplomacy.
In his remarks, Ambassador INAGAKI expressed his pleasure to hand over the fire truck, which will enhance disaster preparedness at Ha’apai Airport, and stated “I hope that this vehicle will contribute to ensuring constant emergency readiness during airport operations, strengthening aviation safety, and enhancing the resilience of the Ha'apai community as a whole. I sincerely hope that this fire truck will be properly maintained and effectively utilized for many years to come.”
Hon. Hu’akavameiliku, referring to more than 300 projects funded through Japan’s GGP to date, expressed his gratitude for the assistance. He noted that this support would allow the Tonga Airport Limited to independently meet the necessary operational and safety requirements for Ha’apai Airport.
The Grant Assistance for Grassroots Projects (GGP) was introduced to the Kingdom of Tonga in 1990 to address community-level development needs in developing countries. To date, more than 300 projects spanning various sectors have been implemented.
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