Public enterprise reform pushes ahead [1]
Sunday, January 24, 2016 - 17:25. Updated on Tuesday, January 26, 2016 - 10:04.
Tonga’s Ministry of Public Enterprises has started to introduce more shared directors for public enterprises, with some directors holding positions on three boards, as part of a push to reform Public Enterprises that started in 2015 to be completed this year.
During the past two months three public enterprises, Tonga Power Ltd., Tonga Airports Ltd. and Tonga Assets Managers and Associates Ltd., handed government dividends totalling over $3.35 million pa’anga.
“The Ministry is satisfied with the outcome of the public enterprise reform and restructure so far,” said Sione 'Akau'ola, the CEO of the Ministry of Public Enterprises on Friday, January 22.
“We started this week the shared directors process for the Transport Sector, and the divestment process under the Agricultural Sector.
“The Ministry plans to complete the shared directors process for the Transport Sector on March 30, and start the process of the PEs under the others in July,” he told Matangi Tonga.
It is hoped that more efficient operation of public enterprises could contribute to government’s revenue growth and improve its fiscal position.
Many of Tonga's public enterprises have not lived up to public expectations in the past, and some became fiscal burdens on the national economy, despite providing essential public services. Some public enterprises were criticised for competing on an uneven playing field with the Private Sector.
Government has 15 Public Enterprises and under the reform programme they have been classified into five sectors, which will be managed by shared directors.
Two sectors that have been restructured and managed by shared directors since 2015 are the Utilities Sector and the Information and Communications Technology ICT Sector.
Five sectors for 15 Public Enterprises
1. Utilities Sector
- Tonga Power Ltd.
- Tonga Water Board
- Waste Authority Ltd.
with shared directors:
- Carl Sanft- Chairperson
- Dr Nailasikau Halatuituia- Deputy Chairperson
- 'Aisake Tu'iono - Director
- Fuiva Kavaliku - Director
- Sione Havea Taione - Director
---
2. Communications and Technology ICT Sector
- Tonga Broadcasting Commission
- Tonga Communications Corporation
- Tonga Post and Fast Print Ltd.
with shared directors:
- Tapu Panuve- Chairperson
- Lorna Aloma Johansson - Deputy Chairperson
- 'Ahongalu Fusimalohi - Director
- Pita Moala - Director
- Siosaia Fonua - Director
---
3. Transport Sector (Directors to be announced)
4. Agriculture Sector (to be formed)
5. Other Sector (to be formed).
---
The remaining nine PEs to be grouped into Sectors with their current board of directors are:
Ports Authority Tonga
- Steve Edwards - Chairman
- Busby Kautoke - Director
- Carl Sanft - Director
- Dr. Ngongo Kioa - Director
- Richard Prema - Director
Friendly Islands Shipping Agency
- Paula Taumoepeau - Chairman
- Lesina Tupou - Director
- Paula Taumoepeau - Director
- Halahuni Langi - Director
Tonga Airports Ltd.
- Lisiate 'Akolo - Chairman
- Tevita Va'inga Palu - Director
- Michael Bloomfield - Director
- Tomifa Paea - Director
Tonga Market Corporation Ltd.
- Simione Sefanaia - Chairman
- Lamipeti Havea - Director
- Fuiva Kavaliku - Director
Tonga Forest Products Ltd.
- Sione 'Uhilamoelngi Liava'a - Chairman
- Dr Leimoni Taufu'i - Director
- Dr Viliami Manu - Director
- Lata Tangimana - Director
Tonga Export Quality Management Ltd.
- Tsutomu Nakao - Chairman
- Lamipeti Havea - Director
- Dr Viliami Manu - Director
Tonga Development Bank
- Chairman - Lord Afu'alo Matoto
- Director - Paula Taumoepeau
- Director - Lepaola Vaea
- CEO - Leta Havea Kami
Tonga Cable Ltd.
- Lady 'Eseta Fusitu'a - Chairman
- Dr. Leimoni Taufu'i - Director
- Samiuela Fonua - Director
Tonga Asset Managers and Associates Ltd.
- Tevita Va'inga Palu - Chairman
- Semisi Tapueluelu - Director
- Tatafu Moeaki - Director
- Salesi Fotu - Director