Around 856 people living in the village of Navutoka on eastern Tongatapu, now have access to a reliable water supply system from the Government of Japan, replacing an old system that was installed in the 1980s had deteriorated over the years.

Financed with $175,451 pa’anga grant under the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Projects, the project was commissioned at the village today.

Japanese Ambassador HE Mr Yukio Numata said helping villages obtain reliable water systems to provide safe water to people has been one of the Japanese Government’s focus areas.

The water supply system installed at Navutoka comes with a pump powered by solar energy.

"Nowadays, we cannot just  focus on economic development, but must also consider eco-friendliness and environmental sustainability for it is clear that environmental well-being directly affects all living things, including us,” he said.

The Minister for Police and Tongatapu No.10 People’s Representative to Parliament Hon Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa thanked Japan for the  assistance to Navutoka.

The new system comes with a new 5000 gallon tank, solar pump unit, while two old water tanks were repaired, with pipes and fittings.