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.
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Results for Parliament
Thursday 11 February 2010
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
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Thursday 11 February 2010
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
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.
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Thursday 11 February 2010
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The Sale and Purchase Agreement for the MV Princess Ashika signed on May 8, 2009, was unusual because the Government of Tonga was required to pay the full F$600,000 dollars regardless of the condition of the vessel, the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Ashika learned on February 10.
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Thursday 11 February 2010
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A Provisional Survey Certificate for the Princess Ashika prepared on July 3, 2009 was backdated to the day before, July 2, as directed by the Acting Director of Marine Viliami Tu'ipulotu to a Computer Operator at the Marine Division of the Ministry of Transport, the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Ashika was told on February 8.
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Tuesday 9 February 2010
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
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.
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Tuesday 9 February 2010
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Kalesita Taumoepeau, an Assistant Secretary at the Ministry of Transport who was a personal assistant to former Transport Minister Paul Karalus, asserted him as being very diligent, honest and hardworking in relation to his work.
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Monday 8 February 2010
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
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.
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Tuesday 2 February 2010
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Both Tonga's former Minister of Transport Paul Karalus and the Prime Minister Hon. Dr Feleti Sevele and other high ranking government officials are set to give evidence this month at the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the sinking of the Ashika.
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Tuesday 2 February 2010
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Rev Dr Tevita Haukinima a Director of the Shipping Corporation of Polynesia Ltd. accepted that the Board and Company Secretary failed to conduct proper due diligence of the Ashika, prior to their recommendation for purchase. He also admitted to the Ashika Inquiry that he had long forgotten his obligations as a director under the Public Service Act.
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Tuesday 2 February 2010
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The Tongan Cabinet unanimously resolved and directed for the MV Pulupaki to be allowed back to Nuku'alofa in December 2009, regardless of whether it was seaworthy or not, the Minister of Transport Noble Nuku said.
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Saturday 30 January 2010
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The Minister of Transport Noble Nuku asserted that he did not approve the sailing of the MV Pulupaki to sail in the weekend, after it was detained in Nuku'alofa.
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Saturday 30 January 2010
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The evidence of the Shipping Corporation of Polynesia Managing Director, John Jonesse, took an interesting turn on Friday morning, when he was asked whether he received any improper payments in relation to the prospective purchase or purchase of the Princess Ashika. He denied this suggestion absolutely.
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Saturday 30 January 2010
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Shipping Corporation of Polynesia Ltd Managing Director John Jonesse told the Commission of Inquiry into the sinking of the MV Princess Ashika on January 28, that he was equally responsible for the sinking of the ferry as other individuals and institutions.
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Friday 29 January 2010
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The Director of Marine Viliami Tu'ipulotu verified that he signed a Seaworthy Certificate for the MV Pulupaki on January 6, 2010, even though he knew it was unseaworthy and it has extensive rust and corrosion.
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Thursday 28 January 2010
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
SCP Chairperson 'Alisi Taumoepeau on Wednesday accepted that the SCP Board are accountable in relation to the sinking of the Princess Ashika, in that they failed to verify or request vital survey certificates prior to the purchase of the vessel.
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Thursday 28 January 2010
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The MV Pulupaki, declared last week to be unseaworthy and detained from sea by the Ministry of Transport, was allowed to sail in the weekend under the authorisation of the Minister of Transport Noble Nuku, an inquiry was told on Tuesday, January 26.
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Wednesday 27 January 2010
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
As a former Attorney General and Minister of Justice, 'Alisi Taumoepeau told the Royal Commission of Inquiry on January 26, it was normal procedure for Government Ministries to follow directions from government without seeking proper legal advice from the Crown Law Department, regardless of whether or not it was an unreasonable direction.
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Tuesday 26 January 2010
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
On being questioned by Assisting Counsel to the Commission Manuel Varitimos she confirmed her affidavit where she referred that Government failed to carry out proper due diligence and the procurement policy was not complied with when buying the ship. She also pointed out a failure of the Ministry of Transport who was responsible for proper checking of the vessels.
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Monday 25 January 2010
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Only five months after the tragic sinking of the Ashika in August 2009 with the loss of 74 lives, a second Tongan ferry is in trouble, an inquiry learned today, when it was told that the privately-owned MV Pulupaki had sailed at the weekend - after its owners, who include a member of parliament, ignored a detainment order from the Ministry of Transport.
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Friday 22 January 2010
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The Company Secretary for the Shipping Corporation of Polynesia Ltd., Lord Dalgety QC, told the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the sinking of the Ashika that the Government of Tonga was negligent by not conducting proper due diligence of the vessel and it was not SCP duty to do so or to interfere.
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