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Watch: Suspicious chicken eggs discovered in Vava’u amid food complaints and disputes saga

By
Kalino Latu
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Food officials in Vava’u were investigating the possible discovery of fake chicken eggs being sold in Neiafu.

An experiment was carried out included boiling the suspicious eggs together with real eggs before comparing them appears to have confirmed the suspicion, Neiafu Town Officer Vāvā Lapota told Kaniva News this morning.

A video clip, whose authenticity Kaniva could not verify independently was taken during the experiment. It showed a person was trying with his hand to break what appears to be a mixture of cooked egg white with rubbery stuff.

Lapota said the eggs were reported to him by locals at Holonga, Vava’u after buying them from a local convenience store.

He took them to the Food Division office before they initiated the investigation by performing the experiment.

He said the eggs will be sent to Tongatapu for further scientific investigation.

READ MORE:

The discovery is the latest in a long running concern about unfit food being brought into Vava’u.

On Friday, the Food Division authorities have been accused of being indecisive and letting down the Vava’u taskforce team after the release of six inactive refrigerators of meat that had been seized.

World Bank says Pacific households may be at risk as pandemic lowers flow of remittances

By
Philip Cass
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Remittances to Pacific islands, including Tonga, could drop dramatically as a result of the Covid-19 crisis.

A World Bank report said households could be put at risk because of the projected decline.

Remittances – money sent home by Tongans working overseas accounts for 37.6% of the kingdom’s GDP.

Tonga is the largest receiver of remittances of any of the Pacific Island nations.

A World Bank report said remittances to East Asia and Pacific were expected to decline by 13 percent this year.

Inflows of money from overseas workers grew by 2.6 percent to $147 billion in 2019, about 4.3 percent lower than in 2018.

The World Bank said it expected remittances to grow by 7.5 percent in 2021.

World Bank Group President David Malpass said remittances helped families afford food, healthcare and basic needs.

“Remittances are a vital source of income for developing countries,” Malpass said.

“The ongoing economic recession caused by COVID-19 is taking a severe toll on the ability to send money home and makes it all the more vital that we shorten the time to recovery for advanced economies.”

Global remittances are projected to decline sharply by about 20 percent in 2020 due to the economic crisis induced by the COVID-19 pandemic and the accompanying economic shutdown. The projected fall would be the sharpest decline in recent history.

Tongans and other Pacific Islanders working in Australia and New Zealand on government-approved regional employment programmes have been luckier than most.

In New Zealand, Pacific workers on Recognised Seasonal Employee visas had their visas automatically extended and were able to jeep working and earn money as long as they were doing essential work.

This has allowed them to stay in essential employment if they were working in the agricultural and viticultural season as New Zealand enters its main harvest season.

In Australia, Pacific workers on that country’s version of seasonal employment programme were allowed to apply for an extension of their visas and could remain in essential work.

However, not all migrant workers have been so lucky. A survey of migrant workers in New South Wales in April month by the world Bank found that half had lost their jobs and one-fifth had seen their work hours reduced while none would be eligible for government assistance.

A plan to pay employers Aus$1500 per employee each fortnight did not extend to those employing temporary migrant workers, except New Zealanders.

The main points

  • Remittances to Pacific islands, including Tonga, could drop dramatically as a result of the Covid-19 crisis.
  • Remittances – money sent home by Tongans working oversea account for 37.6% of the kingdom’s GDP.

For more information

World Bank Predicts Sharpest Decline of Remittances in Recent History

COVID-19 Crisis Through a Migration Lens

Ko e ongoongo’ ni ‘i he lea fakaTonga’:

Ala malava ‘oku uesia tamaki e ngaahi ‘api Pasifiki he tō lalo ‘a e tā pa’anga mei muli’. Ko e lahi ko ee pa’anga ‘oku ma’u ‘e he fo’i tokotaha Tonga hili hono vahevahe tatau e mahu’inga fakapa’anga ‘o e kakai kotoa ‘a e fonua’  pe ‘oku ‘iloa koe GPD, ko e pēseti ‘e 37.6 mahu’inga ko ia’ ‘oku fakakakato atu ia ‘e he tā pa’anga mei muli’. Ko Tonga ‘a e fonua motu Pasifiki lahi taha ‘ene tā pa’anga mei muli’.

Revered Tongatapu man Ned Cook killed in evening attack; 19-year-old teenager arrested

By
Kalino Latu
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A 19-year-old from Ma’ufanga has been arrested after Ned Cook, 67,  died yesterday Sunday 17.

The respected drug rehabilitation expert from the Salvation Army died after an incident at Vuna Rd on Friday evening, local media reported.

The victim, who was also from Ma’ufanga, died from his injuries at Vaiola hospital.

Police said investigation continues to determine the full circumstances of Cook’s death.

Further information will be released when it becomes available, Police said.

Gov’t expresses disappointment at IRL involvement following election of Tonga new rugby league board

By
Kalino Latu
-

The Tonga government was not happy with International Rugby League (IRL) after the election of new board members over the weekend to operate the sport in the kingdom.

As Kaniva News reported on Friday, Opposition Leader MP Semisi Sika has been appointed chairman while Speaker Lord Fakafanua has been elected as president by local rugby league clubs in a meeting facilitated by the Implementation Committee (IC) established by the IRL.

“The Government holds strong reservations regarding the IC including the appropriateness of the proposed governance structure, the composition of its membership and the institutional arrangement,” the Prime Minister’s office said in a statement this morning.

“Whilst, the IRL has corresponded with the Government, we feel that this is has not been a constructive, effective nor professional manner in which to have engaged a Member Country regarding a matter of national and international significance.”

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It said the government was deeply concerned with the lack of consultation by the IRL leading up to the expulsion of the TNRL and subsequently with the recommendation to establish the IC.

“The Government is not confident that the IRL will be neutral and unbiased in the establishment of the IC. Furthermore, the Tonga Courts have adjudicated and determined the legal national representative of the Rugby League code in the Kingdom and for international representation.”

“Therefore, any attempt to disregard and defy the decision of Tonga’s sovereign legal system is not appreciated. Furthermore, Government recognizes the proceedings initiated before the Court of Sports Arbitration by the TNRL and will abide by any decision of the Court.

“The Government does not intend to engage any further with the International Rugby League, pending the decision of the Court.”

Early morning earthquake felt in Vava‘u

By
Kalino Latu
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A deep magnitude-5.3 quake has been felt in Neiafu this morning.

It struck at about 2.11am and was 138km deep, Earthquake Track reported. 

Vava’u Town Officer Vava Lapota said he felt the quake and it took about 5 seconds.

Twelve arrested in Tonga on drug charges

By
Kalino Latu
-

Police in Tonga have arrested 12 people on drugs charges and seized over 20.88 grams of methamphetamine as well as 272.96 cannabis and drug utensils.

The twelve accused were 20-year-old woman from Kolofoóu; 23-year-old woman from Fangaloto; 26-year-old man from Mataika; 28-year-old man from Maúfanga; 32-year-old man from Houmakelikao; 35-year-old man from Mataika; 37-year-old woman from Hofoa; 38-year-old man from Kapeta; 39-year-old man from Kolomotuá; 41-year-old man from Vaini; 41-year-old woman from Havelu and a 41-year-old man from Patangata.

They have been charged with possession of illicit drugs and to appear at the Magistrate Court at a later date.

Acting Deputy Commissioner Tevita Vailea said these arrests showed that those who were seeking to profit from the harm these drugs caused can continue to expect to be targeted by Police.

“This is a significant seizure, which has a potential to cause serious harm to our local community. There is no denying the detrimental impact illicit drugs has on our people’s lives.”

“Drugs have no place in our community; they destroy the lives of the users, harming our children and communities. We hope these arrests will bring some reassurance to the community.”

Anyone who may have information about drug related offending to please contact 22784.

Release of dead fridges and meat let down team monitoring food imports, says Town Officer

By
Kalino Latu
-

Food Division authorities have been accused of being indecisive and letting down the Vava’u taskforce team.

The Neiafu Town Officer, Vāvā Lapota said the order to release six inactive refrigerators that had been seized was disappointing.

The row over the seizure of the refrigerators is the latest in a long running concern about unfit food being imported into Tonga, in particular Vava’u.

The release of the meat appears to have breached a recent order from Food Division head office in Tongatapu for the Vava’u taskforce to seize and destroy any meat which come to the islands in non- refrigerated containers.

The government taskforce includes members of the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Trade and Economic Development, Quarantine Department and Food Division.

Lapota was at the wharf during the incident last Thursday and took pictures of the seized refrigerators.

He said shortly after the seizure a man arrived at the wharf and was told the fridges had been seized, Lapota told Kaniva News.

He said the man then disappeared and returned with a government officer. Lapota claimed that shortly afterwards the taskforce was told that following a conversation with  the Food Division in Tongatapu, the meat had to be released.

Lapota claimed the fridges were not opened for the taskforce to examine their contents.

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“Who in Tongatapu has the power to change the order for the taskforce to confiscate any meat that come in non-refrigerated containers?” Lapota asked in Tongan.

“I think it would be better for those at the main office in Tongatapu to come and inspect the meat here in Vava’u,” he said.

Lapota also complained that it appeared it was normal for Vava’u to buy chicken meat that when defrosted appeared to contain lots of dark blood.

Kaniva News has contacted Leody Vainikolo, the head of the Food Division in Vava’u for comment.

Shipping

Meanwhile, a man who worked in the government’s ships for more than 20 years has shared his experiences with Kaniva News about how meat had been shipped from Tongatapu to the outer islands in the past.

Ngalo’afē ‘Ulupano  said it was not new for meat to be shipped in non-refrigerated containers.

He said he was the first mate of the MV ‘Olovaha and it was his job to look after the shipments.

‘Ulupano said there had been always problems because the meat shipments had to be uploaded to the ship in the morning before it left for the Ha’apai, Vava’u and the Niuas in the evening.

This meant before the ship left, the meat may have been on board for more that 10 hours.

The ships could travel from Tongatapu and arrived in Vava’u within 16 hours depending on the speed, the sea conditions and how long they would spend when stopping at Nomuka and Ha’apai.

“I  witnessed that when the meat arrived they had been well defrosted and especially if they were not placed in safe container they would not  be in good conditions,” ‘Ulupano said in Tongan.

He said meat that had been stored in well sealed containers were still in good conditions when they arrived in Vava’u and the outer islands.

‘Ulupano said once the ship arrived in Vava’u they had to remove the meat for Vava’u from the containers and filled them with the meat for the Niuas.

‘Ulupano also said the complaint regarding the dark blood coming out of the meat was raised during his tenure. He believed it happened because the meat had been shipped in non-refrigerated containers.

The  main points

  • Food Division authorities have been accused of being indecisive and letting down the Vava’u taskforce team.
  • The Neiafu Town Officer, Vāvā Lapota said the order to release six inactive refrigerators that had been seized was disappointing.

For more information

Vava‘u Town Officer claims authorities flouting food safety laws as heated dispute erupts over dirty buckets of salt beef

Tonga rugby league appoints new chairman MP Sēmisi Sika, Speaker Lord Fakafanua as new president

By
Kalino Latu
-

MP Semisi Sika has been appointed the new chairman of Tonga Rugby League and Speaker Lord Fakafanua has been elected as the new president taking over from ousted Siaosi Koloamatangi.

Sika, the former president of the sport in Tonga, has confirmed his appointment to Kaniva News this evening.

Local businessman John Paul Chapman has been elected for the role of Finance Director.

It is understood the election took place after an Implementation Committee, appointed by International Rugby League (IRL) to find directors for a new governing body for Tonga’s rugby league, which will then seek to regain membership of IRL.

The election results came after what appear to be conflicting reports yesterday with Kaniva News reporting the Minister of Internal Affairs Vatau Hui saying he has not been made aware of the new board IRL said its Implementation Committee has established and that MP Sika and Lord Fakafanua had been shortlisted as candidates for the new board’s leadership.

Hui said the government has its own proposed new board at the request of the IRL and it will be submitted to the international body shortly. He said the proposed board did not include any of the members of the former controversial boards in Tonga.

Meanwhile, Talaki Online has reported yesterday that the International Court of Arbitration for Sports has ordered IRL to stop any further actions on what it has been doing for Tonga league because of an alleged appeal by the ousted Tonga National Rugby League Board.

RIF reported two international players Will Hopoate and Tonga Captain Sika Manu were new Board members appointed by the Implementation Committee.

“As a part of the organisation’s proposed new governance structure, player representation on the board has been introduced and current international player Will Hopoate and former Tonga captain Sika Manu have been elected by the national team squad to take up those positions,” RIF reports.

“IRL CEO Nigel Wood has also been in contact with Prime Minister, Hon Pohiva Tu’ionetoa, and IRL would like to thank him and his government for their support and encouragement of this process. The government has committed to working closely with IRL to see the restoration of Tonga to the international rugby league community.

Speaker orders House live broadcast turned off to allow MPs to debate response to king’s opening speech; former Education Minister wanted to use words that were “tasty and pleasing”

By
Kalino Latu
-

The Speaker of Parliament ordered the live broadcast of the House’s debates to be turned off on Monday to allow the MPs to freely discussed the letter drafted as a response to the king’s speech last week to open the 2020-2021 sessions.

However, later during the session Lord Tu’iha’angana said the debates should have been broadcast live for the public to listen and learn from them.

The Parliamentarians debated the languages used in the letter, taking special care about the vocabulary and grammar.

The Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, Food and Fisheries Lord Tu’ilakepa questioned the use of the word fakamākukanga, saying the king may not understand what it meant.

He said the word was new to him and the word tukupā was normally used instead.

Responding, Vava’u 14 MP Saia Piukala said that in Tongan the word meant faivelenga or tōtoivi and it has been used by the Ministry of Ombudsman in writing their laws and was in the Tongan dictionary.

Minister of Internal Affairs Vātau Hui told the House the vocabulary was old-fashioned and the synonym ‘osikiavelenga could be used, which was simple and understandable.

The Minister, who was also a tutor on Tongan language, warned that using of a comma in the letter appeared unnecessary in some paragraphs and they had to be used correctly.

Tongatapu 9 MP Penisimani Fifita reminded the House of the social classification and usage of the Tongan language in which different words were used for the king, the nobility and the commoners.

The former teacher and Minister of Education said the word fakamākukanga added quality and fitted a letter to the king.

“When we talk about the king we used words that were tasty, pleasing and gratifying,” the Minister said in Tongan.

He said fakamākukanga in English meant to dedicate, commit and do the best.

The House finally passed the letter and the Speaker has chosen Lord Tu’i’āfitu and MP Piukala to take the letter to the Palace.

New Screens Use / Sworn in

The Speaker, Lord Fakafanua, revealed during Monday’s session that new screens had been placed around the chamber so Ministers and Parliamentary staff could see which MPs were taking part in each debate.

New MP for Tongatapu 1 Siaosi Pohiva was sworn in during Monday’s session.

He took his oath and swore to abide by the Constitution and the Law of Tonga and to perform his utmost in the best interest of the public.

He replaced the former MP of his constituency, his late father and former Prime Minister, Hon. ‘Akilisi Pohiva who died last year.

The main points

  • The Speaker of Parliament ordered the live broadcast of the House’s debates to be turned off on Monday to allow the MPs to freely discussed the letter drafted as a response to the king’s speech last week to open the 2020-2021 sessions.
  • However, later during the session Lord Tu’iha’angana said the debates should have been broadcast live for the public to listen and learn from them.

Vava‘u Town Officer claims authorities flouting food safety laws as heated dispute erupts over dirty buckets of salt beef

By
Kalino Latu
-

The arrival of a shipment of what appears to be dirty plastic buckets full of salted beef in Vava’u without product labels caused disagreements between authorities at the Puatalefusi wharf last week.

Neiafu Town Officer Vāvā Lapota insisted the 18 commercial products should have been confiscated because they did not show expiry dates. He said the fact that the outside of the buckets were covered with dirt could arouse suspicion about the quality of the meat inside.

But they were released after the business owners contacted senior authorities at the Food Division office in Tonga.

Lapota said he was mystified by the way government authorities had handled the long-running disputes and complaints over the sale of expired meat and controversial food products in Vava’u.

He said it was illegal to sell food products without labels on them.

He said he was concerned about the conditions of the beef products after the Food CEO Dr Viliami Manu announced manufacturers had to use proper salt for the production of salted beef and fixed measurement had to be used.

Kaniva News understands the CEO told TBC if the wrong salt was used the beef could be contaminated.

Lapota said the complaints and seizure of expired food in Vava’u had occurred more than a  dozen times and he questioned why the government authorities never applied the three-warning rule and charged the accused.

Lapota said the government’s slack handling of the issue had encouraged certain convenience store owners to continue selling expired food products in Vava’u.

He said he was starting to lose trust in the Ministry.

“It’s a long story,” he told Kaniva News.

Tonga’s Food Act 2014 says:

Every package of food intended for sale in the Kingdom shall contain a label which:

(a) permits its traceability;

(b) sets out such particulars as may be prescribed; and

(c) is in the English or Tongan language or a combination of both.

(2) Where food other than packaged food is displayed for sale, it shall be labelled as prescribed in regulations made under this Act.

CEO Response

Kaniva News has asked the Ministry’s CEO Dr Viliami Manu to respond to Lapota’s statements.

In his response Dr Manu said the responsibility of the Ministry was to make sure the food products could not affect the consumers’ health.

He said it would be an offence if someone sold foods that affected people’s health. They had to be warned three times and if they continued breaking the law they would be charged.

“The accused would face losing their business license or imprisonment for eight years or pay a fine of TP$100,000,” Dr Manu said.

CEO Manu did not respond to Lapota’s complaint about the buckets of salted beef being released from the wharf.

A comment on Lapota’s Facebook page by  a Facebook user who went by the name Isileli Aholelei, and who claimed he was from the Food Division claimed the disputed salted beef was ordered to be released because they could still be consumed.

He said the Department had been working on the “labels of all the meats distributors in Tonga.”

‘Aholelei said this was the same thing they did for some repacked food products including flour, sugar, chicken, salt and mutton flaps.

They were allowed to be sold without labels because the Department was still working to have them ready for use, he said.

Aholelei also said they inspected suppliers on a weekly basis to make sure they maintained hygiene standards.

Food products seized and destroyed

As Kaniva News reported on April 22, a complaint from the Neiafu Town Officer led to the seizure of expired goods from a number of  convenience stores.

We also reported claims that a number of convenience stores in Neiafu hid their expired goods in other places when authority inspected their stores.

Before that incident we reported that around 400 boxes of rotting chicken had been destroyed after authorities inspected a refrigerated container at a Chinese shop in Neiafu in February.

Bags of expired flour and rotting salted beef had been found at this store before the February bust.

In September 2019 authorities destroyed 45 buckets of rotting salted beefs at Kalaka landfill site.

The main points

  • The arrival of a shipment of what appears to be dirty plastic buckets full of salted beef in Vava’u without product labels caused disagreements between authorities at the Puatalefusi wharf last week.
  • Neiafu town officer Vāvā Lapota insisted the 18 commercial products should have been confiscated because they did not show expiry dates. He said the fact that the outside of the buckets were covered with dirt could arouse suspicion about the quality of the meat inside.

For more information

Vava‘u authorities destroy boxes of rotting chicken

Busted again: Vava‘u shops caught selling expired food

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