Few sources of income for Tongans in sight [1]
Thursday, September 23, 2010 - 19:45. Updated on Sunday, April 20, 2014 - 19:51.
A MEDIA Dialogue providing a forum for journalists and the public to question candidates who are running for the Tonga General Election continued in Nuku'alofa on September 22.
The two hours media session this week featured candidates Pohiva Tu'i'onetoa, Sunia Fili, Kamipeli Tofa and Daniel Fale.
Moderators were Media Council President and Matangi Tonga Editor Pesi Fonua, Taimi 'o Tonga Publisher Kalafi Moala, Manager of Broadcom 88.1FM Katalina Tohi and the owner of Professional PR, Monalisa Palu.
The issue this week was the Tongan economy, and the topic was "What could be the main source of income for all Tongans."
None
Pohiva Tu'i'onetoa, Government's Auditor General who is running in Tongatapu 10 constituency admitted that he just could not think of an industry or a source of income for every Tongan, to replace the copra industry which collapsed during the late 1960s.
He said there were some small avenues where some people earn money but with regards to any one particular industry, where every Tongan could deprive an income from, there is none.
"In the past copra was one of Tonga's main income earners with that industry gone we have none nor do we have an alternative source of income to replace it," he said.
"I am still thinking what can be done and I am reading on the harvesting sea cucumbers, but in truth there is nothing major at present that could generate an income for all," he said.
Labour
Kamipeli Tofa who runs in the Ha'apai 13 constituency from the Party Tu'uloa said his party's Economic Policy is to consolidate the economy in regards to the sources of income and the macro economy from the financial and industrial sectors like that of agriculture, sea cucumbers, government with regards to budget and investment.
He said at the same his party was looking at submitting for a minimum wage of $3 increased from $1 per hour for workers so as to sustain the worker.
Kalafi Moala put to Kamipeli that anyone could say that whereas he is a candidate who has taken up the challenge to run for Parliament.
He then put through the question to the incumbent 'Eua People's Representative, Sunia Fili.
Sunia said the truth is when Tongans are full they are happy and they tend to work hard but when they are hungry they become sad and commit crimes such as theft.
He said Tongans should build on four aspects of the Tongan economy that is of business, bank, government and trade. He noted that income is low and the only main source is remittances and pointed out another could be opportunities abroad for Tongans in terms of work.
He said some Tongans were prosperous from the ocean and some from agriculture and making of handicrafts. "These are avenues we need to encourage," he said.
Pesi Fonua directed the candidates to be more specific with their answers because with regards to agriculture and fisheries, it was not working anymore.
Local government
Daniel Fale who is running in Tongatapu number 10 said that as Tonga is moving toward a more democratic government and he believed that one way Tonga could keep money to circulate within the country instead of flowing overseas, was to set up a local government.
He noted at Lapaha it has a council where foreign aid directly goes to for various projects.
When aid came in through the local council it meant that work and employment was created for residents in the village and money the earned circulated within the community and remained in Tonga, he said.
The dialogue with candidates will continue next Wednesday, featuring five new candidates.