Popua Middle School, where enrolment has more than doubled in three years, will receive a new classroom, and the villages of Tokomololo and Navutoka will have upgraded water supply systems, under new grant funding from Japan, signed by the new Ambassador for Japan, HE Mr Inagaki Hisao, on 16 February.

Each project will receive a grant of over USD 70,000 ($170,000 TOP) from the Japanese Government. The new classroom for Popua MS project will receive a grant of USD 73,300. The Tokomololo water supply project will receive USD 72,824. The Navutoka water supply project will receive USD 72,874.

Objectives

Mr Inagaki said that the three new projects have different objectives based on the immediate needs of each community.

The enrollment at Popua GMS had increased from 190 students in 2020 to 434 students in 2023. and due to this rapid increase, students used a community hall as an additional classroom.

"By building a new classroom through GGP, we can provide a safer and better environment for the students. I hope this project will lead to quality education" he said.

In the Hangai area of Tokomololo Village, residents currently have electricity but not the  village water supply and rely on rainwater stored in their tanks. "Therefore, we decided to expand their water supply system to provide enough water for the entire village."

He said the underground pipes in Navutoka were deteriorating and leaking. Because of these problems, the people of Navutoka had often suffered from water cuts and insufficient water supply.

"In this GGP project, we will work with the Tonga Water Board to replace the entire village's pipelines. I hope that everyone will always have a safe water supply for sanitation and good health."

Mr Inagaki said, “Once your project is completed, please take care of the necessary maintenance for the facilities, "I hope that not only the present but also future generations will benefit from these projects for a long time."

It was the new Ambassador's first signing ceremony in Tonga.