HE Mr. Kazuchika Hamuro turns on the water supply for the Mala‘evakapuna community. Tongatapu. 4 October, 2013

A new water supply system was handed over to Mala'evakapuna community in Tongatapu on October 4, by the Government of Japan, who funded the construction with a grant of over $200,000 .

The Japanese Ambassador to Tonga HE Dr Kazuchika Hamuro turned on the new water supply system that will benefit around 23 households of about 520 people living in the area, near the Fua‘amotu International Airport.

He said the Government of Japan was aware of the conditions and difficulties that the people of Tonga have faced in regards to their water supply.

The old system of the Mala’evakapuna community was installed during the Second World War. There are several villages with water supplies that were installed more than 60-years ago and are deteriorating and unsafe, he said.

“In the light of the importance of water to our daily lives, the people of Japan and I would like you to maintain this new system properly so that you will be able to benefit from it many years to come.”

The project funded with TOP$207,002 under Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) included two 5000 gallon water tanks, a pump house, a solar pump unit and diesel engine.

HSH Prince Tu’ipelehake and members of the elated community attended the handover ceremony.