Results for Nuku'alofa reconstruction

The rescheduling of Tonga's T$119 million loan from China for the reconstruction of Nuku'alofa has not been decided, according to Xu Zhiguang, the first Secretary of the Chinese Embassy, Nuku'alofa this afternoon, December 3.

When the crunch of Tonga's huge debt to China becomes critical in the new financial year 2013-14, the government, naturally, will be looking for someone to blame. ... The failure of the government and parliament to present a transparent, accountable and comprehensive report on the destruction and the reconstruction of the Nuku'alofa CBD remains the most controversial issue for the government of Lord Tu'ivakano, since he came into office on December 2010. Editor's Comment by Pesi Fonua

Auckland academic Dr Teena Brown Pulu has published a book called "Shoot the Messenger" in which she claims that the Tonga Prime Minister's office suppressed her report into the reconstruction of the Nuku'alofa central business district in Tonga following the 2006 riots. Her book was launched at AUT University in Auckland on February 29.

With less than two months to go before completion date, the Nuku'alofa Central Business District Reconstruction Project financed with a TOP$118 million loan from china, is on track to be completed by March 31, the Project Manager Mr Yang said.

The reconstruction of the Nuku'alofa Central Business District has been rescheduled to start in March, according to Sione Taumoepeau, the Chief Executive Officer for the Ministry of Works.

A proposed grant of TOP$4 million from NZAID and AusAID for the establishment of a Business Recovery Facility for Nuku'alofa CBD businesses that were affected by the 16/11 riot, is so far the only promise of definite capital input toward the rebuilding of Nuku'alofa's private businesses.

Hope for the reconstruction of the Nuku'alofa Central Business District was given a boost this morning when the Prime Minister, Hon. Dr Feleti Sevele, told a meeting of displaced business people that materials for the reconstruction of the CBD would be exempted from certain taxes, and that all government leases in the area will be renewed for 99 years.

Tonga is unable to fund the reconstruction of its central business district and while it is out looking for international donors to provide finance, the recovery of businesses and the restoration of Law and Order are in slow-motion. By Pesi Fonua