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Tonga Power announces cheaper electricity charge

By
Kaniva Staff
-

Press Release

Tonga Power is pleased to announce a step reduction in tariff due to the commissioning of the Vava’u Solar Farm. The impact of the solar facility is a reduction in Tonga Power Limited’s tariff by 0.89 seniti per kWh.

In addition the landed cost of diesel on Tonga for November 2013 has correspondingly decreased. This translates to 0.74 seniti per kWh as a result of the international crude oil prices declining slightly.

The new electricity tariff for the Kingdom of Tonga will decrease a total of 1.63 seniti per kWh from the current 94.45 seniti to 92.82 seniti per kWh. Tonga Power’s Board of Director’s would like to make these benefits available to all our customers as from 1 December 2013 for all four island networks.

Details of the new tariff rate effective from 1 December 2013 is as follows:

Location

Current Price
Seniti per kWh

Decrease
Seniti per kWh

New Tariff
Seniti per kWh

Tongatapu

94.45

1.63

92.82

Vava'u

94.45

1.63

92.82

Ha'apai

94.45

1.63

92.82

'Eua

94.45

1.63

92.82

China has not yet agreed to defer Tonga’s loan repayments

By
Kalino Latu
-

Although Tongan authorities believed China has deferred its loan repayment scheduled to start on September 21, 2013, it was reported the negotiation is yet to be concluded.

Matangi Tonga Online report says Xu Zhiguang, the first Secretary of the Chinese Embassy in Nuku'alofa “was surprised” that a report this week by the ADB said the repayment of the Tongan government loan from China had been deferred.

Tonga borrowed a T$119 million loan from China to pay for the rebuilding of Nuku’alofa after riots in 2006.

In September Prime Minister Lord Tu’ivakano told parliament they received a letter from the People’s Republic of China regarding Tonga’s request to defer its loan repayment scheduled to start on September 21,  2013.

He said “in their interpretation, China has approved Tonga’s request”.

Lord Tu’ivakano also said “Tonga asked for a 10 year amnesty period on its loan repayment. In turn, China asks to reduce it to five years”.

The loan has put significant strain on an already struggling Tongan economy.

Xu Zhiguang confirmed  that they have yet  to conclude the negotiation for a deferral.

Cop helps Tonga to fight domestic violence

By
Kaniva Staff
-

A Tauranga detective has been helping domestic violence prevention programmes in Tonga.

Detective Senior Sergeant Greg Turner returned from Tonga on Saturday after spending a week on the island in an attempt to help reduce domestic violence.

The National Study on Domestic Violence carried out by the Ma'a Fafine moe Famili in 2009 found 45 per cent of the women surveyed had experienced physical, sexual or emotional violence from her partner in her lifetime with 22 per cent reporting multiple types of violence by her partner.

Mr Turner has been the mentor for the Pacific Prevention of Domestic Violence Programme in Tonga for about 18 months and spent about seven weeks in the country each year. "It's about getting the Tongan police and community to stamp out, or certainly reduce, the incidents of domestic violence," he said.

"It's quite rewarding. There's some very good people within the Tongan police, Tongan Government and Tongan community. The family violence issue isn't going to be solved overnight. It's probably a generational thing."

Mr Turner spent his time working with police staff and other community organisations training and providing advice about how to support victims of domestic violence and how to handle complaints and investigations.

He ran a refresher course for the police, the Tongan Salvation Army, The Tongan Women and Children's Crisis Centre and the Tongan National Centre for Women and Children during his latest visit. He gave the three community organisations a laptop each. Mount Maunganui company Ballance Agri-Nutrients gave its old laptops to the Katikati Lions Club which restored them.

"I make no secret up there that we have a massive domestic violence problem here. We're not lily white. We've got a huge way to go over here. We've started the process about 10 years or 15 years before them. I'm just transferring what we've learnt over 15 years to the Pacific Islands," he said. "It's pretty easy for them to see that we kill 30-odd women and children in New Zealand every year. We're not the be all and end all, but we can help."

Next year, a policewoman will be stationed at each of the women's centres to provide more privacy for women and children to lay complaints about domestic violence. A nurse will also be employed to work at The Tongan Women and Children's Crisis Centre fulltime.

The programme is funded by the New Zealand Agency for International Development and run in conjunction with the Pacific Islands Chiefs of Police and the New Zealand Police.

In New Zealand this week, organisations and individuals around the country reflected on domestic violence to mark White Ribbon Day.

– Bay of Plenty Times

Miss South Pacific Pageant 2013 officially starts

By
Kalino Latu
-

The 'Carpenters Miss South Pacific Pageant 2013' officially started today, Sunday 01st December 2013, in the Solomon Islands.

The reigning Miss South Pacific, Janine Tuivaiti along with the ten (10) Contestants vying for the title of Miss South Pacific this year, arrived throughout last week and were all warmly greeted at the Henderson International Airport by the recently crowned Miss Solomon Islands, Tema Wickham and the Miss South Pacific Organising Committee together with a traditional welcome that was carried out by one of the panpipe groups from the Malaita province.

This year's contestants include: Miss American Samoa, Miss Cook Islands, Miss Fiji, Miss Hawaiian Islands, Miss Papua New Guinea, Miss Samoa, Miss Solomon Islands, Miss Tokelau, Miss Tonga and Miss Vanuatu.
The Solomon Island's Miss South Pacific Organising Committee are confident that this year's Miss South Pacific Pageant will be one to remember and have prepared a comprehensive programme for the Pageant week.

The Pageant Programme that has been scheduled for the contestants include a special Church Service, a Press Conference, a Tourism Day made up of various activities inclusive of a World War II Site Tour, visits to hospitals, hotels, villages and markets, a Float parade with fireworks and official dinners and functions.


SOURCE: eturbon news

Disarray in Tonga’s Democratic Party revealed

By
Kalino Latu
-

With national elections less than a year away, Tonga's Democratic Party is in disarray after party leader 'Akilisi Pohiva's newspaper Kele'a reported what it said was a plot by several Democratic MPs to support Dr Sitiveni Halapua rather than Pohiva as the party's candidate for the Prime Minister in 2012.

The newspaper claimed that three Democratic Party members, including People’s Representatives Semisi  Tapueluelu and Sione Taione planned in 2012 to replace him with fellow parliamentarian Dr Sitiveni Halapua.

Kele’a alleged that the plan was made in 2012 when the Democratic Government lodged a motion of no confidence against the Prime Minister, Lord Tu’ivakano.

It claimed that if the vote had gone in favour of the Democrats, Dr Halapua would have been put forward as a candidate for Prime Minister.

Halapua did not vote

Relations between Pohiva and Halapua have strained since October this year when Dr Halapua abstained from voting  for a bill that would have let the Prime Minister be popularly elected.

The bill was laid before the Tongan Parliament by Democrat  MP Dr ‘Aisake Eke.

It had received massive support from many of the 17 popular electorates, nine of which elected Democrat members of parliament. However, the motion was lost 15-6.

Dr Halapua’s abstention drew strong criticisms from the local media and the Democrats.

Kele’a lashed out at Halapua’s behaviour, with the editor saying he no longer trusted him as one of the front benchers of the party.

In 2010 Democrat parliamentarians signed a memorandum of understanding that they would support the agreed position of the party caucus.

Coalition government

The root of the party’s rift can be traced to 2010 when Dr Halapua launched a campaign in support of what he called Pule’anga Kafataha or ‘Coalition Government.’

The Tongan parliament has three kinds of seats representing the nobility, the government and commoners, something like the Estates General in pre-revolutionary France.

Under the proposal all parliamentarians would work together as a coalition.

Under Dr Halapua’s proposal members of the ‘Coalition Government’ would have a conscience vote and could vote against their caucus.

Dr Halapua maintained his Coalition Government idea would work well when electing the Prime Minister.

Pohiva: it needed close public scrutiny

In 2010 Halapua told Kaniva News that Democratic Party parliamentarians voting as members of a coalition could elect a noble rather than his party leader, ‘Akilisi Pohiva, but still keep their allegiance to Pohiva and the Democratic Party.

However, the democratic Party rejected the Coalition Party proposal in 2010, the year Hon Lord Tu’ivakano  was elected Prime Minister.

Three years later the argument over the proposal has not gone away.

Pohiva reiterated last week that he thought the ‘Coalition Government’ ideas needed close public scrutiny and discussion.

Meanwhile, Dr Halapua told Talaki newspaper that he stood by his idea and said it was the reason he had not voted for Dr ‘Eke’s bill .

New UAE-funded solar farm for Vava’u

By
Kalino Latu
-

The United Arab Emirates has funded the construction of a solar farm in Vava'u in Tonga’s northern island.

The new Solar Farm is a 500 KWH ground-mounted photovoltaic panels and battery storage technology that is fully integrated with the island’s diesel power station.

It will produce enough energy to cover about 13% of Vava’u’s annual electricity demand and up to 70% of the grid demand during peak hours. The solar farm is equipped with batteries, switch gear and energy saver.

In his keynote address, the Honourable Prime Minister Lord Tu’ivakano stated that, “The solar farm funded by the UAE is the first of its kind that the UAE has provided for any country in the Pacific. This gift is a symbol of the closeness of the Royal Families of both countries and their people – this project will not only serve to benefit the people of Vava’u economically and socially but it will strengthen Tonga’s bilateral relations with the Government and the people of the UAE.”

His Majesty’s Government through the Tonga Energy Road Map (TERM) has been working hard to meet the target to reduce by 50% the Kingdom’s power demand generated from renewable sources by the year 2020.

Since 2010, the Government has put more effort into giving the people of Tonga a more affordable and clean energy, using the latest concept of solar farm technology.

To this end, Tonga’s TERM has worked together with Abu Dhabi based renewable energy company Masdar to develop the solar farm for Vava’u through a grant provided by the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development.

This project addressed the Sustainable Energy for All (SE4All) goals, to provide universal access, renewable energy and energy efficiency for the villages.

The Prime Minister thanked the Government and people of the United Arabs Emirates for their generosity and love for the people of Tonga. The success of the project is due to the good planning, commitment and effective partnership of Tonga and its development partners.

The Official hand-over ceremony of the United Arabs Emirates (UAE) funded solar farm to the people of Vava’u took place in Neiafu, with HRH The Crown Prince Tupouto’a-‘Ulukalala honoring the event, attended by the Prime Minister, the Governor and people of Vava’u.

Changes proposed to Vava‘u electorate boundaries

By
Kalino Latu
-

Vava’u electorates will receive a new general electorate change, while 15 other electorates across Tonga remain unchanged.  

Tonga’s electorates have 17 altogether in which10 constituencies are on the mainland Tongatapu, one in Eua, two in Ha’apai, three in Vava’u and one for the Niuas.

The Tonga Electoral Boundaries Commission released its proposed Vava'u electoral boundary changes this week.

The village of Utui in Vava’u could now move from Vava’u 15 to Vava’u 16 electorate, says a statement released from The Electoral Boundaries Commissioners office.

The proposed names, outline maps and official boundary data of the re-determined electoral constituencies are published in the Electoral Boundaries Commission – Proposed Boundaries Report 2013, the statement says.  

Currently Vava’u 15 has six constituencies and they are Neiafu, Fungamisi, Falaleu, Makave, Toula and ‘Utui.

Vava’u 16 has Ha’alaufuli, Ta’anea, Ha’akio, Houma, Mangia, Mataika, Feletoa, Leimatu’a, Tu’anekivale and Holonga.

Tonga will hold its second General Election under its new system of government in November 2014. 

Former Ikale Tahi player dies in France

By
Kalino Latu
-

A former Ikale Tahi player, who played in France has died aged 36 Friday, November 29. The cause of his death is yet to be officially released.

Samuela Lisala, who played winger for the ‘Ikale Tahi was playing in France for the  CA Périgueux and Union Bordeaux-Begles.

A French website said, Lisala known as “Samo” was playing for Saint-Astier this season.

"The CA Périgueux Dordogne is immensely touched by the tragic death of his former player Samuela Lisala", says the website.

"This appalling information plunges into disarray the entire CAPD, who loses a player who has profoundly marked the history of the club." (Translated from French into English using google translate).

This morning, the Tonga Rugby Union president ‘Epeli Taione expressed  his sadness at Mr Lisala's passing.

“Sad sad day to wake up to the news that former fellow Tongan International  Samuela Lisala have passed away. Wicked sense of humor and a proud Tongan through and through. Too young to go, too young. ofa lahi kia koe pea malo 'aupito ki ho'o ngaahi tokoni moe 'ofa. RIP Samu xxx” wrote Epi Taione on Facebook.

Three fined for hurling stones at police car

By
Kalino Latu
-

A Tongan magistrate court has fined Thursday, November  21 three male teenagers hundreds of dollars for pelting  a police car with stones.

Soane Loloa, 17, Suli Lau’i 17, and ‘Alamoti Hopoi  19 were each told by Magistrate Similoni Tu’akalau to pay $666.67 to cover for the damages.  Tu’akalau also reprimanded the trio.

The magistrate court heard the Nuku'alofa Station Police Superintend Tevita Fifita was patrolling the Patangata area on September 14 at around 8pm..

When the police car approached the village the officer indicated the emergency lights. 

The accused were drunk and were at the roadside.

One of them yelled out and told the officer to just indicate only one light. The officer stopped and questioned the accused.

The teenagers eventually hurled abuse at him but the officer  got into the car and left to the other end of the village.

When he returned the boys threw stones at the car breaking the rear screen and disappeared.

Police were called to the scene and after scouring the area two of the accused were arrested.  The third was arrested later on and charged.  

The court was told the teenagers did not know that it was a police car and that the person they verbally abused was a Police Superintend.

The lawyer for the accused told the magistrate the boys have no previous criminal records and this was the first time they committed a crime.

He also told the magistrate the teenagers are unemployed and they just stay home and help their parents with domestic chores and fishing.

New procedure for police record needs

By
Kalino Latu
-

Press Release:

Due to pressure of work the following procedure will be followed for people wishing to get a police clearance. The only exceptions will be for urgent cases that were not known about in advance, such as funerals. These can only be approved by the Deputy Commissioner or Commissioner of Tonga Police. This will commence as of Monday the 2nd of December 2013.

Documents are required for the process of Police Record

  1. Original copy of IDs – Birth Certificate OR Passport.  Copies must be certified as true copy.
  2. Marriage certificate if maiden name needs changing
  3. If applicant for a Police Record is overseas, he/she is required to provide fingerprint taken at the nearest/available Police Station (POLICE STATION ONLY) and send together with either one of the above documents mentioned on numbers 1 & 2.

Procedure.

  1. Payment for Police Record is at the Nuku’alofa Central Police Station together with either your passport, birth certificate and marriage certificate if required.
  2. Address MUST also be given to the cashier.
  3. Processing time – Every police record MUST take 4 working days with effect from date of payment e.g. if you pay on a Monday, you should be able to pick it up from the office where the payment was made at 2.00pm (not earlier) on Friday of the same week.

Fee

  1. Tongan citizen                                 –           TOP$1.73 (for local use only)
  2. Tongan citizen                                 –           TOP$5.75 (when required for overseas purposes only)
  3. Foreigners                                         –           TOP$17.25

For further details if required please do not hesitate to contact the Scene of Crime Office, Nuku’alofa Central Police Station at telephone number 22-790.

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