Four tons of liquid petroleum gas (LPG) will be arriving in Pangai, Ha'apai on Tuesday 20 October, on board the MV Southern Tiare, the CEO of Homegas Ltd, Frank Schaper told Matangi Tonga this morning.

Frank said that the emergency shipment of LPG for Ha'apai was achieved "through close co-operation between Homegas Ltd. as LPG distributor in the Kingdom, Tonga Gas Ltd. our supplier, and Reef Shipping Company in Nuku'alofa.

"We also like to apologise to the people of Ha'apai for any inconveniences caused."

The shipment of gas to Ha'apai ceased about two weeks ago after the Ministry of Marine and Ports put a stop to the shipping of gas onboard the passenger ferry to the islands.

Fokololo Mafile'o, the Manager for Tonga Gas Ltd. in Nuku'alofa, said yesterday, 14 October that the gas shipment to Ha'apai was stopped two weeks ago because 'Uliti Uata, the owner of the MV Pulupaki, the only inter-islands ferry that is serving the islands, wanted a clearance and a letter of approval from the Ministry of Marine and Ports before he would allow gas tanks on board.

Fokololo said he had submitted a letter to the Ministry of Marine and Ports yesterday afternoon, asking for a permission to ship gas to Ha'apai on deck the MV Pulupaki and he was still waiting for a reply.