Results for Tonga ferry sinking

In talks with SCP Managing Director John Jonesse leading up to the possible purchase of the Ashika ferry, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Public Enterprise 'Inoke Vala, took what Jonesse advised him at face value.

A suggestion that the Ashika ferry tragedy had resulted from systematic failure of the Tonga government, was rejected by Tonga's Prime Minister, who stressed that the laws, regulations, policies and procedures are in place; but he accepted that it was the failure of individuals who failed to comply with their responsibilities under the laws of the country.

The Prime Minister Hon Dr Feleti Sevele is expected to give his evidence at the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the sinking of the Princess Ashika on Monday, February 22.

The Royal Commission of Inquiry into the sinking of the Ashika was told today, that because of the urgency in the purchasing of a ferry, the initial FJ$90,000 dollars (an equivalent of TOP$88,250) was paid from a government fund specifically out of the Ministry of Finance vote; while the remaining FJ$510,000 was paid from a separate Government Fund that held, in part, payments from the People's Republic of China in a Special Account at the National Reserve Bank.

At the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the sinking of the Ashika this afternoon, Tonga's Ports Authority manager, Commander Lupeti Vi revealed that Tu'i Uata of Uata Shipping Company had attempted to bribe him with $5,000 in December 2009.

Transport Secretary 'Eleni Mone giving evidence at the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the sinking of the Ashika today, broke down in tears and apologised to everyone particularly the families of the Ashika victims for her failure and her inaction to query vital matters in relation to the vessel.

The sincerity of Lord Dalgety's two weeks sick leave from the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Ashika sinking was questioned on February 10.

A preliminary Inspection Report conducted by Tongan Surveyors this week on a possible replacement vessel for the Princess Ashika in Malaysia, revealed an open deck that would drench cargo unless covered, the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Ashika sinking discovered on February 9.

Due diligence is the normal process prior to the purchasing of anything, the Manager of the Regional Maritime Program of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) Captain John Hogan told the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the sinking of the Ashika, at the Fa'onelua Convention Center this afternoon, February 8.