From the House by Pesi Fonua

The proceeding of the Tongan Parliament yesterday, 12 October was deferred until tomorrow because it did not have a quorum when most of the Cabinet members were stranded at 'Eua.

The House was initially deferred for 15 minutes, hoping that late comers might arrive and that the House could proceed.

It did not happen, because only one of the 12 Cabinet Ministers, Hon. Siaosi Sovaleni was in Nuku’alofa. Hon. Vuna Fa’otusia was still stranded in New Zealand, while the Prime Minister and the other 10 Cabinet Ministers were stranded at ‘Eua.

The House did not have a quorum so the Speaker declared the House closed until the following day, 13 October.

'Eua

In late September the Prime Minister announced a schedule for National Fasting and Praying to protect Tonga from the COVID-19:

1. Fasting and Praying at ‘Eua on 10-11 October.
2. Fasting and Praying in Vava’u on 5-6 December.
3. Fasting and Praying in Tongatapu from 18-19 January 2021.
4. Fasting and Praying in Niuas from 8-9 February 2021.

October 10 also marked the first birthday of the appointment of the government of Prime Minister Hon. Dr Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa, and the People’s Party Government.

The Prime Minister also announced that the launching of these fasting schedules on 10 October also marked the first birthday of his Government.