Results for Power Supply

Mr. Kava slammed the people's representatives for selling or allowing the sale of the former Tonga Power Board to Shoreline. There are two issues here that I would like to find the truth and I am very confident that someone out there who knows the paliament records which hold the real true (answers) to these accusations: - v

Power production was sold to the Shoreline only after the approval of the Parliament. It included the concurrences of all the People's Representative. Before visiting the issue at hand, it is appropriate and proper to interview my representative in the parliament who voted yes to the sales of the power producing authority and responsibility to Shoreline. I, being from Tongatapu would like my representative at the parliament, Mr. Pohiva, Mr. Pulu and Mr. Edwards to explain the reasons why they agreed on the sale. -Sione L. Kava

The point is that in every action that the Government of Tonga takes it must be accountable and transparent. If it is not ...– this mere shortfall alone will inhibit the rebuilding of our beloved country and society. -Viliami Lakasi

I read with interest the letter recently published by the Director of the Tonga Electric Power Board and the Minister for Transport. As a tax payer can I please ask what are the terms of this 'loan'? - Viliami Lakasi

The Tongan government injected $2 million into the Shoreline Power company to pay its fuel bills and prop it up following the destruction of its head office in the November 16 riots, it was revealed today. The government will now have to raise an estimated $60 million to buy back its power generation facility from Shoreline Power. By Pesi Fonua.

The argument in Parliament at present centres around the size of the electricity price hike - which is the short-term issue. But alongside should be a more sustained discussion on the long-term solution to power supply. Tonga is not on its own on this issue as many countries are just as vulnerable as we are. But it's time like this that size does matter and for once - small is beautiful. Oil is a non-renewable source and as it dwindles at source, the price will continue to climb. There are alternatives abound which we should now consider seriously.

In the past couple of months, I went on a self-imposed sabbatical trying to find myself. Despite my honest effort to stay away, this twenty million dollar ransom demanded by the Crown Prince and his band of robbers begged that I return. In return for their demand, Shoreline will be returned to its rightful owner, the public. What a gutsy move for a daylight unarmed robbery. - Tama Foa

With the wretched economic climate in Tonga, the people can ill afford to ignore the malfeasance and graft typically exercised by those in power to potentially manipulate the terms of acquisition of Shoreline. Both Government and Shoreline should not exercise complete autonomy in this venture because the interest of the consumers is at stake. Therefore, the process and result need to exist in symbiosis with the community. Shoreline has not provided much financial, operational & maintenance details to suggest a compelling economic proposition thus this creates ample opportunity for critical errors exacerbated by various factors. - Mele Payne Lynch

The fiasco concerning Shoreline and its operation is a dilemma created by the government themselves. From your article of the same (8 April), it is clear that both the government and Shoreline operatives have collided with their various public statements, and in turn raises many questions. Shoreline is now returning the favor, giving the government the first option to buy back the electricity business. -Jason Faletau