Editor,

Mr. Viliami Lakasi questions the validity, and the "repayment terms" of the Government loan to Shoreline in his letter (Jan. 31, 2007).

Perhaps in good times Mr. Lakasi's inquiry could be viewed with interest. But in view of what happened on November, 16, 2006, I would say Mr. Lakasi is on the insensitive side.

While Tonga is picking herself up off the ashes from that despicable Black Thursday, Shoreline (the only supplier of electricity) suffered losses from actions not of their own making. Those losses - caused by pro-democracy terrorists - were suffered directly by Shoreline's customers, the consumers of electricity. Amongst those customers are Mr. Lakasi extended family members who may be living in Tonga.

Here in America, a similar situation was created on September 11, 2001 of which we all know about as 9/11. The U.S. Federal Govenment did not hesitate to issue similar loans, in millions of dollars, to major U.S. airlines due to huge losses they suffered from the terror attacks.

Mr. Lakasi has forgotten that Shoreline's services are the "esential" lifeline of everything modern in Tonga. Furthermore, it is the responsibility of all governments to provide for its citizenry at times of need: natural disasters or manmade.

I applaud the Hon. Paul Karalus, Director, and all members of Tonga Electric Power Board, for doing their rightful duty to insure the uninterrrupted flow of electricity to all consumers of Shoreline Electric Power.

It may also be of interest to Mr. Lakasi to note that Shoreline Power is a monopoly, where there are no other competitors in the marketplace. However, Shoreline does not have the luxury of charging any rates they wish without the scrutinizing eyes of Government because electricity is a scarce commodity so vital to the wellbeing of society. When the public is denied that commodity, Government must step in and prevent further chaos.

Please Mr. Lakasi, do not incite another terror act. Tonga needs healing to stop the bleeding.

'Ofa atu,

Sione Ake Mokofisi

samokofisi [at] mac [dot] com