The Government of Japan continues to provide development assistance to rural sectors, which benefits villages in the Kingdom of Tonga. This time, three villages will celebrate the opening of new water supply systems. These projects were funded under Japan...’s Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) programme.

The Second Secretary at the Embassy of Japan, Mr. Hiroshi Watanabe, will be representing the Ambassador of Japan, H.E. Mr. Masashi Namekawa, to officially open the new facilities at Makaunga village, Houma village, and Hofoa village.

Details of the projects and their handing over ceremony schedules are as follows:

- The Project for Construction of Water Supply System for Makaunga Village

This project was funded through a GGP grant of US$52,429.00 (approx. T$98,345.00) to cover the material and construction costs of one water supply system (pump, 5000 gallon tank, tank stand, water meters and pipes). This project is expected to benefit around six hundred people from the local area.



The handing over ceremony will be held at Makaunga Village in Tongatapu Island on Monday, May 21, 2007 at 14.00 p.m.

- The Project for Construction of Water Supply System for Houma Village

This project was funded through a GGP grant of US$72,850.00 (approx. T$135,181.00) to cover the material and construction costs of one water supply system (pump, 5000 gallon tank, tank stand, water meters and pipes). This project is expected to benefit around four hundred people from the local area.

The handing over ceremony will be held at Houma Village in Vava...’u Island on Tuesday, May 22, 2007 at 14.00 p.m.

- The Project for Construction of Water Supply System for Hofoa Village

This project was funded through a GGP grant of US$80,740.00 (approx. T$149,866.00) to cover the material and construction costs of one water supply system (pump, 5000 gallon tank, tank stand, water meters and pipes). This project is expected to benefit around eight hundred people from the local area.

The handing over ceremony will be held at Hofoa Village in Tongatapu Island on Thursday, May 24, 2007 at 10:00 a.m.

The long term objective of these projects is to ensure that the village water supply projects provide villagers with hygienic water for drinking, bathing and washing and improve their health and sanitation.

Japan...’s assistance to these projects indicates its commitment to contribute to the improvement of the living standards and welfare of people in the Kingdom of Tonga and is in line with its Official Development Assistance (ODA) policy of promoting development at the grassroots level. The GGP programme is specifically designed to address basic human needs, which include water supply, health, basic education, vocational training, sanitary environment and rural infrastructure. In 2006, GGP funded total of US$662,188.00- (approx. T$1,235,038.00-) for the water supply projects. It is hoped that this assistance will help further strengthen the friendly ties between the governments and the peoples of Kingdom of Tonga and Japan. Ministry of Finance, 16/05/07.