Govt still owns National Centre and the Chronicle [1]
Wednesday, January 14, 2009 - 18:20. Updated on Tuesday, January 13, 2015 - 20:48.
Although the Government of Tonga is out-sourcing some of its services and assets to be managed and funded by private companies it will retain ownership in them, the Prime Minister Hon Dr Feleti Sevele said this afternoon.
In a press conference the Prime Minister referred to the Tonga National Centre, which was recently outsourced and to the Tonga Chronicle that is in the process of being outsourced.
He confirmed that only the management of these two services was being outsourced while the ownership of the assets remained with Government. Three-year contracts with the new management are in place and will be reviewed.
"By out-sourcing these services it leaves time for us to focus on essential public services such as health," he added.
Tonga National Centre
Meanwhile, 'Etuate Lavulavu founder of the 'Unuaki 'o Tonga Royal University announced last week they would be investing $4 million to develop, renovate and operate the Tonga National Cultural Centre.
As for the 44-year old-Government operated newspaper, the Tonga Chronicle, that has been heavily subsidised by Government, the Prime Minister revealed that if under the new management the newspaper is found to be operating well then "there may be a profit-sharing arrangement . . . and eventually let it go."
He added that in the meantime Government would continue to have an input in the editorial content "so as to maintain the initial objective to provide responsible information.
"We are looking at establishing a joint committee that would be set up to consist of Government and the new management to discuss the content of the newspaper."
The successful applicant for the Tonga Chronicle out of only two applicants received should be announced next week.