A contract for the construction of a $944,000 police station at 'Eua was signed by the Acting Minister of Police, Hon Dr Viliami Tangi and Manager of T Construction Company Alvin Sika at the Police Headquarter, Longolongo on Monday, October 11.

'Ohonua Police Station is one of 21 projects financed under a Tonga Police Development Program.

Alvin said they had two weeks to start mobilising the construction materials to 'Eua before construction of the modern one storey building begins before the end of the year. He expected it to take six months to build the 305 square metres concrete building consisting of offices and holding cells, with a car park and new fencing.

Police Commander Chris Kelley said this was the second major construction followed the building of the new Vaini Police station costing $900,000 pa'anga.

The Commander said the new police station in 'Ohonua was badly needed.

"What is important to note under the TDPP is that the projects are committed to community policing, evident in the new police stations constructed in the villages and in the outer islands starting with 'Eua," he said.

The Acting Minister of Police Hon Dr Viliami Tangi said that this project was important in redeveloping the Tonga Police Force. He noted that this was the second major project under the Tonga Police Development Program.

TPDP

The Tonga Police Development Program signed in July 2008 is a five-year tri-partite program between Tonga, Australia and New Zealand signed in 2008 to redevelop the Tonga Police in which New Zealand has committed $7.5 million over four years, while Australia has available up to AUD$2.6 million per year.