Residents and visitors driving past the coastal area near Nuku‘alofa’s government buildings have expressed increasing concern over a persistent and unpleasant odour that has lasted for several months.
Many concerned locals claimed the smell came from what appeared to be a “drainage” near the St George Palace and surrounding cafes near Vuna Wharf.
Others believed that a leak in the “sewage system” was the cause of the problem.
One commenter on social media described the smell as so unpleasant (“fu’u namu ta’eKilisimasi ‘aupito”) that it ruined the Christmas spirit.
A former Cabinet Minister took to Facebook to raise concerns about the noxious and offensive odour.
Sangster Saulala, the former Minister of Internal Affairs, urged the government last month to take immediate action to identify and address the source of the unpleasant smell that had been permeating the area.
He expressed deep concerns about the potential health hazards posed by the stench, as locals call it, which he claimed was affecting the well-being of residents and tourists.
In Tongan he said: “Tuʻo fiha ʻeku lele hake he toumuʻa falepaʻanga he hala Vuna moe ʻalaha hake faʻahinga nanamu taʻefeʻunga hufanga he fakatapu kole atu kau ngaue toʻo mai ha kiʻi seniti mei heʻetau patiseti lau miliona ʻo kiʻi fakaleleiʻiʻaki he ʻe tokoni lahi ia ki he moʻui lelei ʻae kakai mo ʻetau Takimamata”.
Many locals have taken to Facebook to voice their concerns this week.
The latest reports today included one which said that the unpleasant odour, which was once confined to the waterfront area in front of the St George Palace, has now begun to permeate additional areas throughout downtown Nuku’alofa.
One commenter claimed that the foul odour could be so unbearable that people waiting in the vicinity of the ANZ bank, about half a kilometre away from St George Palace, are often seen holding their breath to avoid inhaling the foul smell.
Another commenter reported that the odour has also been detected in areas near the Tanoa and Emalata hotels, about half a kilometre from St George Palace.
The news comes after previous complaints made via live-streamed videos, which indicated that a foul odour was coming from a location near the newly developed business site, which is located in a semi-industrial area along the shores of Vuna Harbour.
Some commenters said the smell often varies, with some days being pungent and others hardly noticeable. However, they said that in recent weeks, the odour has become stronger and more frequent.
Communications
Kaniva News contacted Chief Secretary Paula Ma’u and the Ministry of Infrastructure’s Chief Executive Lōpeti Heimuli for comments.
We asked them if the government was aware of the foul smell and if any effort was being made to resolve it.