ADB approves US$11.3m for Nuku'alofa development [1]
Wednesday, May 21, 2008 - 19:34. Updated on Tuesday, July 28, 2015 - 15:20.
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a grant of US$11.3 million dollars ( $22 million pa'anga) for Tonga's Integrated Urban Development Project aimed at redeveloping roads and rehabilitation of the drainage system in Nuku'alofa.
The Prime Minister Hon Dr Feleti Sevele stated this week after returning from an Annual Meeting of ADB Governors in Madrid, Spain, that the ADB has approved the grant and work will begin in July.
Tukua Tonga, the Head of the Planning and Urban Management Division of the Ministry of Lands, Survey and Natural Resources, said today that work under this grant will be conducted in the Nuku'alofa Central Business District and extend to some surrounding areas of Nuku'alofa.
He said work would improve major road routes, rehabilitate and extend roadside drainages, extend, repair and seal access roads in residential low lying areas and will monitor groundwater quality.
For example road redevelopment will include Popua with drainage work extended to low-lying areas at Vaololoa and Sopu, and inevitably the work will join with the development of the waterfront area, Tukua added.
The project will be implemented by the Ministry of Works who will also enhance capacities in urban planning, project management and maintenance.
Tonga has been a member of ADB since 1972 and is the 36th largest shareholder among regional members. Since being a member Tonga has received financial assistance over TOP$100 million through grants, soft loans and other technical assistance.
Reconstruction
Meanwhile the reconstruction of buildings in the CBD that were destroyed during the riots of November 16, 2006 is not expected to start until after the Coronation in August.