The reconstruction of Niuatoputapu following the September 30 tsunami that devastated the island of Niuatoputapu in northern Tonga is set to begin this year.

A Project Management Unit for the Tsunami Emergency Recovery and Management Project was recently set up at the Ministry of Works head office, following the appointment of Peni Vea as Project Manager on February 12.

Peni said yesterday, March 10, that the project is to run for two years and they will be working very closely with the Ministry of Finance and National Planning, which handles the aid funds for the Tsunami Emergency Recovery and Management Project.

He said the reconstruction work would include the construction of private housing, a hospital, government offices and school compounds.

The Unit would be responsible for the daily management, monitoring and coordination of the project activities. They are working under a Government Project Coordination Committee chaired by the Minister of Finance.

The Project Manager is responsible for the preparation of the Operation Plan in collaboration with relevant agencies before presenting a submission to Project Coordination Committee for approval.

The Government has in the past five months received assistance from New Zealand, the European Union and World Bank.

Peni said he was in the process of recruiting two officers, an Administrative Assistant and a Project Coordinator to join the unit.

A date has yet to be set for the start of the reconstruction work on the ground.