Govt seeks World Bank finance for airport reconstruction [1]
Monday, March 14, 2011 - 06:22. Updated on Saturday, May 10, 2014 - 14:01.
Land leases at the Fua'amotu International Airport on Tongatapu and the Lupepau'u International Airport at Vava'u, are being renewed for 99 years by estate oweners.
The estate owners, Prince Tungi, Noble Kalaniuvalu Fotofili and the Matapule Fotu, signed an MOU with the Deputy Prime Minister Hon. Samiu Vaipulu for the government on Tuesday, March 8 at the Cabinet room, Prime Minister's Office.
The Deputy Prime Minister said that the MOU was for an extension of leases by the estate owners to the government for 99 years. Prince Tungi is the estate owner of the village of Fua'amotu, Noble Kalaniuvalu Fotofili, of Toloa, Tongatapu, and Matapule Fotu of the village of Leimatu'a, Vava'u.
The signing of the MOU was an important part of the process to secure the release of funds from the World Bank to finance the multi-million project, and officials from the World Bank were in the Cabinet room to witness the signing.
Details of the work to be carried out at Tonga's two international airports has not been released but it has been publicly discussed that the renovating of the two airports will cost about $TOP35 million.