HRH Crown Prince Tupouto'a 'Ulukalala opened a new Vaipua Bridge in Vava'u on Friday 14 December. The bridge was reconstructed with a T$10 million grant from China.

Residents of Vava'u welcomed the new bridge, which provides a vital shortcut from Neiafu to Taoa, and to the villages in the western district of the main island of Vava'u.

The Prime Minister Lord Tu'ivakano accepted the completed project after signing a handover agreement with China's Ambassador to Tonga HE Mr Wang Donghua on 14 December.

Guests included Prince Ata, Cabinet Ministers, nobles and residents.

The old Vaipua Bridge was declared unsafe in 2007 and collapsed, before China pledged to finance its reconstruction in 2008.

Road

Lord Tu'ivakano received another completed Chinese funded project for the Vava'u Road Improvement from HE Mr Wang Donghua on Thursday 13 December, when they signed a handover agreement in a function held at Leimatu'a.

The road works come under a National Road Improvement Project that was financed by a $80 million pa'anga loan by government from China, and includes Tongatapu, Ha'apai, 'Eua and Vava'u.

In Vava'u repair works were done to some roads in Mataika, Leimatu'a and Ta'anea.