Results for Development

Tonga needs to step up its efforts in combating basic-needs poverty, and to provide employment, in particular for youth, the Deputy Prime Minister Hon. Samiu Vaipulu said this week in launching a report on Tonga's progress towards the Milliennium Development Goals.

Four years ago on 16 November 2006 the heart of the Nuku'alofa Central Business District was destroyed by protesters but on November 19 the keys to three new multi storey buildings were handed over to their owners by the Prime Minister Dr Feleti Sevele in a ceremony at the International Dateline Hotel.

The Nuku'alofa Central Business District is undergoing a major facelift with new multi million buildings under construction rising up from the ashes of the fires and destruction in the riots of November 16, 2006.

The opening of two new and safer prison facilities at Tonga's main Hu'atolitoli Prison at Vaini today, August 25 could not have been more timely, after prison escapes reached record high with 33 in the last seven months.

A $32 million reconstruction of Vuna Wharf project was announced on Friday, June 25 by Tonga's Prime Minister, Hon. Dr Feleti Sevele, who expects the facility to attract dozens of cruise ships a year into Nuku'alofa.

Two new and safer prison blocks are being constructed at a cost of over $1 million pa'anga at Tonga's main Hu'atolitoli Prison, Vaini, Tongatapu, and over 100 prisoners are expected to be moved there in June.

Paulo Kautoke, the former Secretary for Tonga's Ministry of Labour Commerce and Industries, has been appointed as one of four Assistant Secretaries-General of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group Headquarter in Brussels, starting on July 1.

The new German Ambassador to Tonga HE Mr Thomas Meister presented his Letters of Credence to HM King George Tupou V at the Consular House yesterday afternoon, March 16.

The Australian Government has committed AUD$7 million dollars for three years funding of a new Health Systems Support Program with Tonga's Ministry of Health, focussing on key priority health areas such as reducing the prevalence of non communicable diseases in the country and will help to improve community health care.