New workshop to keep Police patrol cars ready for action [1]
Sunday, February 9, 2014 - 14:30. Updated on Sunday, February 9, 2014 - 16:22.
Grant O'Fee and HE Dr Kazuchika Hamuro
The Tonga Police fleet of patol vehicles will be better managed with a new maintenance workshop that is to be constructed with a grant from the Government of Japan.
The Japanese Ambassador HE Dr Kazuchika Hamuro signed a grant contract for $192,174 with Police Commissioner Grant O’Fee on February 7, at the Police Headquarters in Longolongo.
Dr Hamuro hoped the workshop built under Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) will contribute to police efforts in supporting communities, where everybody can live in safety and develop mutual trust.
Maintenance
Ashley Fua, the Acting Deputy Commissioner Corporate Services, said maintaining their police fleet to be at a state of readiness 24/7 has many challenges but the new garage would undoubtedly reduce those challenges
He said with the assistance of developing partners Australia and New Zealand their police fleet had grown to 46 police vehicles. The police maintenance workshop will help to keep police vehicles on the road, putting officers out in the community.
“When a person calls for help from police he or she needs to be confident that help will arrive in time,” he said.
Both, the Minister of Police Hon Siosifa Tu’utafaiva and Commisisoner O’Fee thanked the Japanese Government for their support.
The construction is expected to be completed in 3-4 months time. The old workshop located at the police headquarters was built in 1968.