Neiafu petitioners halt Vaipua landfill activity [1]
Wednesday, February 6, 2008 - 17:56. Updated on Wednesday, July 22, 2015 - 13:44.
Highlights from Tonga's newspapers, January 28-31, 2008. An English translation summary by Tevita Fonua.
Former parliamentarian 'Etuate Lavulavu has halted developing a site next to the Vaipua Causeway in Vava'u, after 300 petitioners in Neiafu opposed the land filling because they thought it was destroying natural habitats. 'Etuate told the Kele'a on January 30 that many of the 300 are netballers who thought it had to do with keeping the causeway open.
The Taimi on January 28 reports that following a request from a prominent public figure to determine the whereabouts of gifts from the people of 'Eua to the Chinese Ambassador, but rumored to have vanished, the newspaper's investigation established that Ambassador Hu Yeshun did in fact receive one oversize pig, one oversize kava, 20 giant yams and handicrafts. Mr Hu, who was guest of honour at the 'Eua Tourism Week, thanked the people of 'Eua for their generosity.
The Talaki on January 30 reports that Noble Tu'ivakano, the Minister for Training, Employment, Youth and Sports, was served summons by the police following a collision last Monday evening, while he was driving one of the ministry's vehicles. Acting police commander Taniela Faletau said that tests at Vaiola Hospital have established that the minister was not drunk at the time.
The Kalonikali on January 31 reports that the incoming New Zealand High Commissioner to Tonga Christine Bogle is currently not married, but has three sons.
The Taimi on January 31 reports that 'Akilisi and colleagues have poached the Secretary General of the People's Democratic Party, Semisi Tapueluelu. To counter such practices, Party president Teisina Fuko favours an amalgamation of the different groups who are promoting democracy into a single party.
According to Maliu Mafi, a spokesman for the local cigarette manufacturer International Metropole Corporation, the company is not acquiring machinery at a cost of US$3 million to automate and speed up production at its plant, because it does not want to lay off some of its 30 employees. International Metropole manufactures the Palataisi brand, which is sold locally, and the Kuro, which it exports to Taiwan.