April is the new starting date for the reconstruction of Nuku'alofa, said the Director of Tonga's Urban Planning Department, Tukua Tonga this afternoon.

The starting of the reconstruction of Nuku'alofa has been a moving target following the Ground-breaking Ceremony that was held in what is going to be Nuku'alofa Central Park last November.

Phase one of the reconstruction work was going to start in November 2008 with the Civil Works, including the construction of a drainage system, footpaths, and the laying of underground cables for electricity and telecommunications.

The demolition of damaged buildings and the clearing of building sites was going to follow before the Christmas break, but then the demolition was rescheduled for the new year 2009. So far the only obvious work that has been done was the demolition of one gutted building, the Taumoepeau Building on Hala Fatafehi where the clearing of the building site, is nearing completion.

Tukua said that the hold up was due to the late arrival of a ship from China in January with building materials for the setting up of three bases for Chinese workers. One base will be located at Siaine Motu'a, Kolofo'ou, a second one at the Ministry of Works compound, near Vaololoa, and a third one at Vuna Wharf.

Meanwhile, Tuku said that two businesses had confirmed their participation in the reconstruction project, utilising the 5% interest soft loan from china, "they are the Taumoepeau Building and the Sanft Building."

Tukua said that a contract would be signed soon with these two businesses before the reconstruction work started in April.

He said that the Civil Works and the reconstruction of private properties would start at the same time, in April.

Tukua said 17 other affected businesses had expressed interest to join but they are still in a stage of negotiation.

In the meantime, they are currently in the mobilisation stage, which is getting the Chinese bases up and running. This would involve a lot of movement and setting up of workshops for steel works at Vuna Wharf, while the site at MOW will be used for carpentry and the stockpiling will be at the old Siaine area, he added.

The construction of facilities for a modern Nuku'alofa Central Business District is largely funded by a $120 million pa'anga loan from China and other loans to the Tonga government for civic works and the rebuilding of businesses.