The lights went on again in Ha'apai last week, after the MV Olovaha inter island ferry delivered much needed diesel to run the power generators on the islands where the weekly fuel supplies have been disrupted for months.

Tonga Power Ltd. in Nuku'alofa confirmed on April 28, they sent barrels of diesel for the power generators in Ha'apai and residents were immediately reconnected to the power last week.

On this long awaited trip barrels of diesel were delivered to both Ha'apai and the two Niuas.

John Jonesse, the Managing Director of the Shipping Corporation of Polynesia Ltd said that on this trip the Olovaha transported 150 barrels of diesel to Lifuka, eight barrels to Ha'afeva with 20 barrels delivered to Niuafo'ou and Niuatoputapu.

He said that normally the MV Olovaha transports eight barrels to Ha'afeva and 50 to Lifuka and every week, and about 20 to 30 barrels to Niuafo'ou and Niuatoputapu on a monthly basis.

But the inter island ferry service has been disrupted during the past few months, due to engine problems of the 26-years old ferry and services to the outer islands have been either cancelled or delayed. A replacement ferry is currently being constructed in Japan, and John from the Shipping Corporation of Polynesia said that they are investigating for a solution to the ferry service problem.

Olovaha went firstly to Ha'apai and was in Vava'u last week. It arrived in Niuafo'ou on Friday will was to go on to Niuatoputapu before returning to Nuku'alofa.