By Pesi Fonua

Tonga's Prime Minister delivered a preacherly message, intending to clarify the direction of the Ministry of Finance for the coming year.

He was making a keynote address on launching a new “Foundational Ministry of Finance Week” in Nuku'alofa on 12 July at the Queen Sālote College Hall.

HIs management direction is a theological one, where Tonga’s livelihood relies on an “Abundance of God's Provision and Grace”.

Hon. Reverend Dr Pohiva Tu'i'onetoa (70) said that there are about 2000 verses about money and wealth in the Bible. He said Judas was one of the 12 disciples and the finance keeper, “though Jesus knows more about how to manage money.”

The Ministry of Finance invited foreign diplomats, parliamentarians and government officials to the launching of the foundational theme: “Managing Tonga’s Livelihood in the Abundance of God’s Provision and Grace”.

The PM believed that God had rescued Tonga, because COVID-19 had not reached here, and he was impressed with the amount of aid grants that were flowing into the country, “thanks for our international development partners.”

Different views

When Hon. Tu'i'onetoa became Prime Minister in 2019 he also held the portfolio of Finance. As Minister of Finance there was an intense disagreement between him and the members of parliament over how the national budget was being processed through the Legislature. As both PM and Finance Minister he wanted to bypass the scrutiny of parliament's Standing Committee on Finance and Public Accounts in formulating his budget.

In late 2019 he re-appointed Hon. Tevita Lavemaau as his Minister of Finance and Minister for Revenue and Customs. (Lavemaau was Finance Minister in 2017 under the previous government).

Hon. Tevita Lavemaau spoke at the launching, giving an overview of the Ministry’s history. From when it was established under the British protectorate, there were three British finance ministers before the late Hon. Mahe Tupouniua became the first Tongan Minister of Finance in 1961.

The Ministry of Finance Chief Executive Officer, Mrs Balwyn Fa’otusia explained that the Ministry today is made up of 10 branches, managed by nine women and one man:

1. Lesieli Tufui Faletau, Economic and Fiscal Policy Division.
2.  Elizabeth Baker, Projects and Aid Management Division
3. ‘Ilaisaane Vea, Budget Division.
4. Pisila ‘Otunuku, Procurement Division.
5. ‘Aivi Fakahua, Financial Framework Division.
6. Makeleta Siliva, Treasury.
7. ‘Ilaisaane Lolo, Resilient Development and Financing Division.
8. Sisilia Moala Finau, Internal Audit Division.
9. Gladys Fukofuka, Corporate Service Division.
10. Heneli Palu, Information, Communications and Technology Division.

Prizes for “the poor”

The launching of the Ministry's Finance Week concluded with the handing out of assistance to representatives of five poor households, they had identified in Tongatapu, ‘Eua, Ha‘apai, Vava‘u and Niuatoputapu. The prize-winners were:

• Talikavili Loloa, Lapaha - $500;
• Vaiangina Tupou, ‘Eua - $250;
• Sione Tupou, Ha’apai - $600;
• Toni Ketisi Mesui, Olo‘ua, Vava‘u - $650;
• Fotu Prescott, Hihifo, Niuatoputapu - $600.

Meanwhile, Tonga’s next General Election is coming up in November this year.