Japan commits grant to improve Houma water supply [1]
Friday, December 2, 2022 - 22:01. Updated on Friday, December 2, 2022 - 22:06.
The Government of Japan has committed USD$85,681 grant assistance to improve the water supply system in the village of Houma.
Japan’s Ambassador HE Mr. Kensaku Munenaga signed the grant assistance with Semisi Naitoko Vuna, Chair for the Houma Village Water Committee, at the Ministry of Finance, St. George Government Building on 2 December.
The Minister for Finance, Hon. Tiofilusi Tiueti was also present.
The Ambassador said the village's water supply system was damaged by the Hunga-Tonga Hunga-Ha'apai volcanic eruption in January this year.
"We aim to improve it by installing two electric water pumps and replacing 1,760m of old main pipes. We hope that this project will provide clean and safe water to the people of Houma village. Today is only the beginning. I would like you to work in good cooperation with your staff, community members, constructors and external auditors to implement the project successfully."
He urged the village reps in future to carry out necessary maintenance for the facility so that the people can benefit from the project for a long time.
This new project was funded under Japan's Grant Assistance for Grass-Roots Human Security Projects.
The Finance Minister said the Tonga Government has benefited a lot from the GGP, since its inception over 30-years ago.
“These generous assistances have helped our community’s development in achieving a more equitable distribution of economic and social benefits by addressing gaps in sanitation, health care, public welfare, education and improving access to clean and safe drinking water that we witness today."