National early warning project resumes with arrival of Japanese team [1]
Friday, July 1, 2022 - 22:53. Updated on Thursday, September 8, 2022 - 14:46.
A team of 14 members have arrived from Japan to continue and complete the Tonga National Early Warning System (NEWS) Project tentatively set for September this year.
MEIDECC the implementation agency said this project is funded through a grant agreement from the Japanese Government estimate to worth $58 million pa’anga.
On 30 June, the team met with MEIDECC CEO Paula Ma’u and one of the stakeholders Tonga Broadcasting Commission (TBC) and addressed the agenda for the continuation and completion of the NEWS Project.
This is tentatively set to be completed and commissioned in September this year.
The project aims to provide facilities for swift transmission of warning and safety information on natural disasters by installing an emergency radio communication system, an early warning sound alert system all over Tonga
It will also look to improve TBC broadcasting infrastructure and contribute to disaster prevention and measures relating to the environment and climate change.