By Pesi Fonua

Eighteen technicians will be flown to Tonga on a chartered flight from Japan to install telecommunications systems in the Tonga Broadcasting Commission’s new building in Nuku'alofa, and to construct an antenna at Niuafo‘ou.

 The technicians will complete a multi-billion Yen project to build a Nationwide Early Warning System (NEWS) and Strengthening Disaster Communications project, supported by the Government of Japan.

Yesterday, HE Mr Munenaga Kensaku, the Japanese Ambassador-Designate to Tonga, announced that the Japanese government had provided 207 Million Japanese Yen, (about 1.9 Million US dollars) to complete the project that it launched in March 2019.

The “NEWS Project” was launched with an initial budget allocation of approximately 2.8 billion Japanese Yen, (over $25 million US dollars). This project is a grant aid assistance from the people and the Government of Japan  and formulated based on Japan’s Country Assistance Policy to Tonga.

Its three main components are:

• The establishment of “the Early Warning Sound Alert System” through which warning voice messages are announced with “Sirens”.
• The expansion of “Emergency Radio Communication System,” which enables interactive radio communications during disasters by broadcasting emergency messages from response vehicles.
• Upgrading the National Radio Broadcasting Network of the Tonga Broadcasting Commission, or TBC.

The Ambassador said despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the new headquarters building of the Tonga Broadcasting Commission was successfully built and handed over in July 2020.

However, the roll out of the Early Warning System and Strengthening Disaster Communications project was suspended because the Japanese technicians needed to travel to Tonga and install the systems.

The Ambassador said that the additional 207 million Japanese Yen, will complete the project and 18 technicians will come to Tonga on a chartered flight, procured by themselves, to install the telecommunications system in the new building, and to construct an antenna at Niuafo’ou.