Nuku'alofa CBD works to start November [1]
Monday, October 6, 2008 - 16:53. Updated on Thursday, September 11, 2014 - 15:17.
By Pesi Fonua
The construction of facilities for a modern Nuku'alofa Central Business District will start in November largely funded by a $120 million pa'anga loan from China and other loans to the Tonga government, for civic works and the rebuilding of businesses.
Solar-powered street lights, underground telephone and electric wiring, a new sewerage system and extensive underground drainage system with pump stations, are included in the civic works planned.
The Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation, Hon. Paul Karalus, the chairman of a technical team that monitors and oversees the reconstruction work, confirmed that the work will start in November.
Paul said that the Tonga government signed the $120 million pa'anga loan from China at the beginning of September after months of negotiation between the Nuku'alofa landowners, the Chinese architect and construction company that would carry out all the construction work, the Ministry of Finance and the landowners to whom they would lend the money at 5 per cent interest.
Three businesses
Following the signing of the loan three borrowers have committed to the reconstruction scheme, utilising only 40 per cent of the financial capital available.
Paul said that another $20 million had been allocated for Civic Construction Work of a drainage system, road works, lighting and a sewerage system, "leaving about $60 million, waiting for people to come onboard the scheme."
Paul said that the government intention was for the Chinese funds to be borrowed by private entities and therefore minimise the amount that would be carried by government and repaid out of the annual budget.
New projects considered
If landowners whose buildings were destroyed during 16/11 were not forthcoming Paul hinted of the possibilities for new companies to use the fund on new projects. The funds might be extended for projects such as the further development of Vuna Wharf for cruise ships. There could also be a new shopping mall, a hotel, and even an artificial beach developed, "a mini Waikiki", in the surrounding area.
He said that there was also a talk about a tramway along Hala Vuna running up Hala Taufa'ahau to Vaiola Hospital, reducing the number of motor vehicles that cause traffic congestion in central Nuku'alofa.
And if there was still any money left, Paul suggested that an airstrip on reclaimed land out at Sopu would be useful for the proposed domestic air service to Nomuka and Ha'afeva, "where there are plans for runways."
Other loans
Paul explained that there were a number of groups and individuals who were involved in the reconstruction of the Nuku'alofa Central Business District, such as consulting experts, architects, engineers, loan administrators, and technicians.
The financing of the reconstruction of Nuku'alofa comes also from other sources, New Zealand and Australia have also made available $100 million on soft loan to Nuku'alofa landowners.
In addition there was also a loan from the Asian Development Bank to improve the drainage system for the greater Nuku'alofa area.
Nuku'alofa Development Corporation
The reconstruction of Nuku'alofa comes under the control of the Nuku'alofa Development Corporation, which is chaired by the Prime Minister, Dr Feleti Sevele.
Paul said that the Nuku'alofa Development Corporation is the first step toward establishing a Town Council for Nuku'alofa to manage and run the capital.
Richard Stoll, the Project Manager for the reconstruction of Nuku'alofa gave a brief summary of the civic work that would start in Nuku'alofa in November. He said that all street lights in the capital would be solar powered and all telephone and electric wiring would be underground.
"The Nuku'alofa CBD will have its own sewerage system. Commercial buildings will have their own septic tanks, which will link into the system. Existing premises with their own septic tank can be connected into system also at a cost of about $3,000."
Waste water
Richard said that there would also be an extensive underground drainage system and there would be pump stations to pump waste water out to sea.
Tukua Tonga, the Employer's Representative from the Ministry of Finance, pointed out that while there would be extensive civic works in central Nuku'alofa, some similar work would be also carried out at Sopu and at Patangata financed with a loan from the Asian Development Bank.
The civic work for Nuku'alofa and the reconstruction of the three businesses that have signed to be part of the scheme is expected to take three years.
Paul said that with regards to the repayment of the loan the Nuku'alofa landowners would be given a five years grace period when they would pay interest only, and the rest of the loan was to be repaid within the next 15 years.
Not raised
With regards to the global issue of Sea Level Rise, and the fact that most of Nuku'alofa is only a few centimetres above sea level Matangi Tonga Online wondered if sea level rise was ever taken into consideration when there is a risk of putting millions of pa'anga to develop an area that could go under water before the turn of the next century?
Paul said that the thought of moving the capital anywhere else was never raised, "it has to be here, Nuku'alofa," he said.