February 7, 2014
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Japan Provides Assistance to Tonga Police
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The Grant Contract formalizing the Government of Japan providing assistance to construct a new workshop building for Tonga Police was signed between H.E. Dr. Kazuchika Hamuro, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the Kingdom of Tonga and Grant O'Fee, Commissioner of Police at 10:00am of Friday 7th February, 2014. Hon. Siosifa Tu'utafaiva, Minister for Police, Prisons and Fire Services was present at the ceremony held at the Tonga Police Band Complex at the Police College in Longolongo, Tongatapu.
H.E. Dr. Kazuchika Hamuro in his key note address highlighted the significant of Tonga Police reaching out to communities. "I hope that the workshop built by this project, contributes to Tonga Police's efforts to support communities, where everybody can live in safety and develop mutual trust."
Mr. Ashley Fua, Acting Deputy Commissioner, Corporate Service said the responsibility of the new workshop is to reduce the down time of all police vehicle so that they spend less time in the workshop and more time putting police officers out in the community. "What we are initiating is not just a workshop but certainly a road to improve confidence," he added. Tonga Police sought for Japan's assistance in April 2013, prioritizing proper regular servicing of Police vehicles from an appropriate facility. The original Police workshop has operated for over 40 years.
Japan's assistance made available through Japan's Grant Assistance for Grass-Roots Human Security Projects, GGP will enable constructing of one new workshop building accommodating an office space, spare parts storage area, workshop area, tyre service area and a service pit area. (Refer to attached Project Fact Sheet for detail of assistance).
Project Fact Sheet (PDF)
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