No tsunami escape route for Nuku'alofa [1]
Friday, July 1, 2016 - 19:42
From the House by Pesi Fonua
The need for a tsunami evacuation route from low-lying Nuku’alofa to higher areas in central and eastern Tongatapu, was a major concern of Lord Nuku during Parliament's budget debate on Wednesday, 29 June 2016.
Parliament was debating the $78.6 million pa'anga budget allocation of the Minister of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change and Communications (also known as MEIDECC).
Lord Nuku pointed out that already there is traffic congestion on Hala Taufa'ahau, starting from the village of Veitonga, on the one road that leads into the capital, Nuku’alofa from eastern and central Tongatapu.
“In case of a natural disaster, I hate to think what will happen,” said Lord Nuku.
He pointed out that there is a $5 million loan in the budget, and sirens had been set up but, "Where are they going to run?" he asked.
“They will all get stuck at Pea,” he warned.
Hon. Siaosi Sovaleni, the Minister for MEIDECC, told members that they are aware of the problem.
He said that they have identified high ground in Nuku’alofa where people could find shelter, such as the New Zealand High Commission residence and the Sia Ko-Veiongo.
In addition, he suggested that there are a few high-rise buildings that people could seek shelter in, “but definitely not too many people on top, for the building could topple over,” he joked.
Bridge
With regards to the idea of a bridge across the Fanga’uta Lagoon, connecting Nuku’alofa to eastern Tongatapu, he said that they would talk to the Asian Development Bank about it.
Hon. Semisi Fakahau, reminded the committee that government had a plan for a bridge, connecting Ma’ufanga to Folaha.
Foreign travel
On a different issue from building bridges, Lord Vaea pointed to a huge allocation of $134 million – Foreign Assistance, which he said absorbed a lot of overseas travelling expenses.
He also expressed his surprise of how the Ministry has few staff.
He said that the Ministry looks good to overseas donors, "but locally we don’t know what it is actually doing".
Hon. Sovaleni, corrected Lord Vaea, that the foreign assistance to his ministry amounted to $74 million and not $134 million.
He also reminded the committee that they have to look after the three solar farms that have been set up, and the solar power to homes in villages.
The chairman called for votes on Vote No. 23 of the Ministry of MEIDECC.
It was carried 20-0.
In Legislature the Speaker called for the second reading of Bill No. 8 - the National Budget for 201-2017; it was carried 18-0. It has its third reading and it was carried 18-0.
Hon. 'Aisake Eke, the Minister of Finance thanked the House for the hard work.
The Speaker declared the Parliament closed, and they will reconvene on 13 August, 2016.