Fonoi enjoys clean water supply for Christmas [1]
Tuesday, November 29, 2011 - 21:28. Updated on Wednesday, September 11, 2013 - 09:54.
FONOI village, home to 100 people in the outer islands of Ha'apai, received an early Christmas present from the Government of Japan who provided them with 26 new 5,000 litre water tanks.
All 20 occupied households on the island have received one water tank each, while, six others were installed at other locations, including the Fonoi Government Primary School compound and residence, the Catholic Church and Free Wesleyan Church residences and church halls.
The project cost TOP$92,798 under Japan's Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects.
In Nuku'alofa today, the Japanese Ambassador to Tonga, HE Mr Yasuo Takase, with Fonoi's Town Officer Tevita Mateaki commissed the tanks in a ceremony at the Tonga Development compound.
The ambassador said this assistance funded under their Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Project is designed to improve basic human needs that include upgrading water supply systems, upgrading medical equipment and construction of schools and rural infrastructure. He said it is the Government of Japan's vision to improve and develop the social conditions of grassroots communities like Fonoi village.
"There is no secret concerning the importance of water to our daily lives, and the vital role it plays in fulfilling our everyday needs. So I am very pleased to know that the people of Fonoi can now have easy access to clean water at all times, especially for daily needs such as drinking, cooking, and washing," he said.
In March 2011 the Government of Japan committed their financial assistance to this project. The 26 water tanks had been transported and installed at Fonoi by the Rotomould Pacific Ltd. in Nuku'alofa.
Japan's assistance also included storage facilities at Fonoi. Prior to the new water tanks the people in Fonoi collected rain water in tubs and buckets for their daily use.
Fonoi Town Officer Tevita Mateaki, thanked the Government of Japan for the tremendous assistance that has improved their access to reliable, clean and safe water supply.
Fonoi is located over 50 kilometres away from Pangai, Ha'apai.