Drinkers scoring well on breath-test campaign

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Commissioner of Tonga Police, Christopher Kelley

USE of breathalysers have revealed manageable levels of drink-driving behaviour in Tonga,  according to Police Commissioner Christopher Kelley.

In December last year, Police carried out more than 4500 of vehicle stops for breathalyser testing. Only 1.66% of those drivers were detected with alcohol, and less than a third of them in violation of the law for drink driving.

In January, 558 drivers were stopped and tested, about 6% tested positive for alcohol whilst less than half of those tested positive were above the legal limit.

Although the figures seemed to be climbing, it is still too early to establish conclusions to the trends and behaviour of drunk-drivers. Add to that the very small proportion of those tested positive that infringed the law for the amount of alcohol allowed while driving.

“It seems drivers are paying heed to the message,” Commissioner Kelly said.

Roads reconstructed with China loan

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Workers on Tupoulahi Road, near Janful International Dateline Hotel

There are now completed sections of roads in Nuku’alofa reconstructed with a RMB 291 million loan from China.

China’s Ambassador to Tonga HE Mr. Wang Donghua officially handed over to Deputy Prime Minister Samiu Vaipulu three completed sections of the 64 road segments throughout Tonga reconstructed with the loan.

He commended the initiative- the “National Road Improvement Project”- will assist the economic recovery of Tonga through safer and quicker access for business and customers, but also through the provision of jobs and activity by the project itself.

Mr. Wang says China has engaged in extensive road construction in the last thirty years, and was one of the key contributions to its economic development.

Tongatapu 10 Representative Semisi Tapueluelu inspects the parts of the project to his constituency

He says that like China, Tonga is a developing country.

About 130 km of roads throughout Tongatapu, Vava’u, Ha’apai, and ‘Eua is to be reconstructed using the loan, and set to be completed by 2013.

Wang says he hopes major infrastructure developments like the NRIP, will benefit Tonga as it did China.

Hon. Vaipulu responded, “The project will continue to foster the warm relations between the two countries. We are looking forward for closer and long term cooperation.”

Severe mismanagement issues in government enterprises

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Hon. Clive Edwards, Minister for Public Enterprises and Revenue exiting the Directors of Ent. workshop yesterday at Moulton Hall. Trailing from behind is Ministry CEO Inoke Vala.

Severe losses and asset depreciation because of fraud and mismanagement is “unbelievable” in government’s 13 State-Owned Enterprises, according to Minister for Public Enterprises and Revenue Hon. Clive Edwards.

Hon. Edwards identified Waste Authority Ltd and Tonga Timber Ltd as landing the two highest operational losses of more than a million pa’anga for the previous fiscal year.

He said 8 of the 13 businesses operated at a loss.

“The full extent of losses cannot be properly determined through lack of proper records. There is high suspicion of fraudulent mismanagement and possible collusion amongst the staff,” the Minister stated.

He also said that Directors of Tonga Timber are not involved in the mismanagement allegations.

“The Directors may have been misled by the reports put before them,” he said.

He also touched on the issue of the national hotel, Janful International Dateline, which the Tongan government has 49% of the shares: “As a minority shareholder we are not responsible for its management and operation and it is of considerable concern how that enterprise is managed in Tonga. Appropriate action is being taken to rectify the problem it is facing with the hotel.”

Edwards compiled a compliance list of government businesses, recording business plans, half-yearly plans, annual reports, and audited reports.

“Out of the 13 Public Enterprises that we have, 7 have a nil complying record. The others comply but not fully,” he said.

“Poor help the poor”: $5m. Economic cooperation agreement signed with China

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Prime Minister Lord Tu'ivakano and PRC Ambassador to Tonga HE Wang Donghua, seal the agreement with a handshake at Foreign Affairs Office. Photo: PMO

A grant of $5.6 million (RMB 20 million) from China is to help the Tonga’s economic and technical development.

The grant is a token from China following His Majesty George Tupou V’s recent visit, according to China’s Ambassador to Tonga H.E. Mr Wang Donghua.

Vice-President Xi Jinping informed His Majesty that China is ready with assistance to economic development projects agreed upon by the two countries.

Examples of past such projects include direct military assistance to Tonga Defence, Fa’onelua Convention Centre, the reconstruction loan for the CBD, and reconstruction of Wellington-Ngu Hospital.

Other projects include Vaipua bridge reconstruction in Vava’u, Super health-centres at Mu‘a and Vaini, Tonga and Ha’apai High Schools construction and maintenance, and more than a hundred kilometres of road refurbishment and maintenance throughout the islands.

The “Agreement of Economic and Technical Cooperation” was signed by Prime Minister Lord Tu‘ivakano and H.E. Mr Wang at Foreign Affairs head office in Nuku’alofa last Friday.

Mr. Wang added, “The amount involved in the projects is not big but is genuine with our whole heart, and I perceive the cooperation between our two countries as the way in which friends help friends, and the poor help the poor.”

Minister warns Chinese of corruption

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COMMERCE and Industries Minister Lisiate ‘Akolo summoned the Chinese business community to his office for a conference to discuss issues affecting the business sector, especially in light of recent revelations in the media of corruption involving the Chinese.

“I have to ask you to stop it. It doesn’t help any of us,” he said to the more than hundred business people attending.

He stated that about $20 to $30 million pa‘anga is lost in government revenue due to corruption.

“Using false invoicing, or double invoicing is illegal,” stated the Minister.

“Whether rightly or wrongly, many Tongan businesses perceive the Chinese as being corrupt,” he said.

More Chinese engagement in the Kingdom

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TWO separate delegations from China are in the kingdom, including a group of entrepreneurs here to scout investment possibilities in the tourism sector.

Chinese construction workers rebuilding Tungi Arcade in Nuku'alofa's CBD.

Last Thursday, the Tonga China Friendship Association, chaired by HRH Princess Pilolevu Tuita welcomed the business group, accompanied by Chinese Ambassador to Tonga, Wang Donghua.

According to the association’s Vice President Siosaia Moehau, “the visit is all about employment for [Tongans], through the attraction of jobs and investment [from China], as well as the increased friendly relations between Tonga and China.”

The delegation also looked into having direct flights from China to Tonga, bypassing South Pacific travel hub New Zealand.

There was discussion about the possibility of establishing a Chinese Investment Bank in Tonga.

Meeting with PM

Meanwhile, in a separate visit, the newly appointed director of the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) Chen Sicheng met with Lord Prime Minister Tu‘ivakano last Friday afternoon.

The visit was to familiarise Sicheng with his corporation’s clients – CCECC is the main contractor for the reconstruction of downtown Nuku‘alofa.

Sicheng is also the Managing Director of its Foreign Aid Division.

The two parties planned further visits and potential investment in the kingdom in the future.

- By Tevita Motulalo

Defence key to swaying Chinese policy, says new Ambassador

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New Tongan ambassador to China, Siamelie Latu.

FORMER Colonel at the Tonga Defence Services Siamelie Latu has departed for China to become Tonga’s Ambassador in Beijing.

He replaces Mahe Tupouniua, who returns to Tonga as Secretary of Foreign Affairs.

Speaking to Tonga Chronicle just before departing on Wednesday morning, Latu was optimistic his experience and background will help him in his job.

“I have met a lot of high-ranking commanders and generals from the PLA while working at Tonga Defence and I hope those relationships will further cooperation,” said Latu.

“And it will. In China, if there is any policy lobbied for approval the most effective channel is their Defence. Once the Defence decides it goes, it does.”

Latu has served 33 years in the military, and is himself a graduate of the People’s Liberation Army’s National Defence University in Beijing.

He recently oversaw Tonga Defences’ Foreign Operations and Logistical (intelligence) Unit.

While military engagement between the two countries is likely to continue, Latu said he plans to dedicate a lot of time into facilitating business and investment between sectors of the two countries, “especially tourism”.

Australia and New Zealand not happy with election of Tu‘ivakano: Akilisi Pohiva

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THE leader of the Friendly Islands Democratic Party, Akilisi Pohiva says that governments of Australia and New Zealand are “not happy” with Parliament’s election of Lord Tu‘ivakano as Prime Minister.

He said, “Since the previous regime has not been accountable and transparent to Australia and New Zealand with the aid they’ve given us, they don’t see any real change with this election of a noble as Prime Minister.”

“The core issue is accountability and transparency,” said Pohiva.

“They hate it,” Pohiva said, and that “Australia and New Zealand are sick of dealing like that with Tonga.”

“They looked forward to a real change in government, which it seems has not been realised,” he said.

Lord Prime Minister works hard to form a people’s Cabinet

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THE Kingdom of Tonga's first Prime Minister nominated by a majority popular elected Parliament, Lord Tu‘ivakano, is trying tirelessly to form his new Cabinet, comprising of a majority of people’s representatives.

Long time MP ‘Isileli Pulu, is said to have agreed the take up the “Minister for Revenue” portfolio in Tu‘ivakano’s Cabinet. He is one of the leading names in 'Akilisi Pohiva’s Friendly Island Democratic Party,

Lord Fakafanua broke the news today following further meetings between the PM and MPs. He has been the spokesman for the alliance of free MPs (which includes the Nobles) during the campaign for the nomination for the Prime Minister.