The previous interim government pushed ahead with a decision to hand over control of Lupepau’u International Airport in Vava’u to New Zealand’s Intelligent Green Energy (IGE) company.
This move went ahead despite strong objections from the Tonga Airport Authority (TAL), Kaniva News can now reveal.
As reported by Kaniva News in December, then-Interim Prime Minister Samiu Vaipulu confirmed the deal, stating the NZ firm had been approved to reconstruct and upgrade the airport.
Documents suggested the Cabinet had greenlit the transfer of control to IGE under a public-private partnership.
However, Kaniva News can now reveal that TAL refused to sign the contract, raising serious concerns over the lack of due process and potential risks of privatising a critical national asset.
Violent Threats, Legal Reversals, and Government U-Turn
This led to a dispute that escalated into alleged violent threats, including an incident where the former TAL Board chief Dr Sione Ngongo Kioa was allegedly threatened with death and gun violence over the contentious deal, Kaniva News has learnt.
Reliable sources claimed the matter was serious enough to warrant police intervention, though no formal complaint was filed.
Kaniva News has chosen not to disclose the identities of those involved at this stage.
Months later, the incoming government of Prime Minister Dr ‘Aisake Eke revoked the deal, citing legal challenges.
Public Enterprises Minister Piveni Piukala confirmed last week that TAL’s refusal to sign was a key factor in the collapse of the agreement.
Questions Over Due Diligence and Transparency
When Vaipulu responded to reporters’ questions during a December 20 press conference about the deal with the NZ company, he said negotiations were still ongoing to ensure compliance with civil aviation, Tonga Airport safety, and security regulations.
However, IGE’s controversial background, including one of its directors’ prior legal disputes in New Zealand, has further fueled scepticism over the deal.
With the contract now scrapped, the focus shifts to whether an investigation will be launched into the Cabinet’s defiance of due process and the alleged threats that marred the dispute.
