Tonga workshop addresses “habits of failures” in project delivery [1]
Friday, May 3, 2019 - 16:49. Updated on Friday, May 3, 2019 - 16:50.
A workshop to address issues that hinder the delivery of World Bank funded projects in Tonga was opened this morning, 3 May, by the Acting Minister for Finance, Hon Mateni Tapueluelu, at the National Reserve Bank Building in Nuku’alofa.
The Inception Workshop is a response to a portfolio review that was undertaken in 2017, which revealed a list of common issues with project delivery.
The issues include the slow start of projects, slow or delay of implementing projects against agreed timelines, poor quality of reporting and implementation, ineligible activities that resulted in reimbursement to the Bank by the government, as well as limited project management experience.
Failures
Hon Tapueluelu said in his opening speech that the workshop is an approach to solve these issues.
“It is extremely important for the Government of Tonga that project management issues of the past do not continue and become habits of failures for project implementation.”
He said those attending the workshop are the drivers of Tonga’s development programs “and with that comes the expectation of the donor – the World Bank, the Government and the people of Tonga”.
“How you implement these programs in a timely and efficient manner will set a track record for the future development and donor confidence in this country and this is a priority to the Government of Tonga,” he said.
To support implementing the projects, a Central Services Unit (CSU), funded by the World Bank and Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has been established. The CSU is staffed with local and international experts.
“I commend the foresight of the World Bank, the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and the Government of Tonga through the Ministry of Finance for the establishment and for funding the Central Services Unit,” said Hon Tapueluelu.
Making it happen
Deputy Australian High Commissioner, Rhonda McPhee told attendees that while it is difficult to develop programs, find finance, and get it in place “the real challenge is implementation and making it happen”.
“So, I think that it’s really important that we continue to support each other and work together and share our experiences as we go through the next few years of implementation.”
“I encourage you to ask for help as there are really good resources here now in place to make these projects work really well,” she said.
Five new projects
Five projects worth US$75.1 million funded by the World Bank were also launched at the workshop.
They include the Tonga Transport Climate Resilience Project (US$27.8 million), Skills and Employment in Tonga (US$15 million), Tongafish Pathway (US$10 million), Tonga-Pacific Resilience Programme (Additional Financing) (US$17.3 million), and Tonga Digital Support Project (US$5 million).
Three of these projects are already underway with the remaining two expected to start this year.
The workshop opening was attended by the Japanese Ambassador, HE Mr Tetsuya Ishii, New Zealand High Commissioner, HE Tiffany Babington, Deputy Australian High Commissioner Ms Rhona McPhee and representatives from various government departments including Finance, Fisheries, Internal Affairs, Education, MEIDECC, and Infrastructure.