Japan’s Non-Project Grant Aid Handover to NEMO Featured
H.E Mr. Yukio Numata, Ambassador of Japan to Tonga with Hon. Siaosi Sovaleni, Deputy Prime Minister of Tonga, Minister for MEIDECC and Minister for Foreign Affairs at the handover of NPGA products to NEMO on Monday, 7 August 2017
8 August, 2017. The Government of Japan through the Non-Project Grant Aid, NPGA handed over equipment valued at 3million pa’anga to Tonga’s National Emergency Management Office, NEMO on Monday, 7 August 2017.
The handover ceremony was attended by H.E Mr. Yukio Numata, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Tonga and Hon. Siaosi Sovaleni, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for MEIDECC and Minister for Foreign Affairs.
Presents also at the ceremony were Chief Executive Officers, representatives from Non-Government Organizations and relevant stakeholders of emergency and disaster management offices.
Hon. Siaosi Sovaleni extended the Government of Tonga’s sincere gratitude to His Excellency, the people and the Government of Japan for their generous assistance in contributing immensely to the ongoing development in disaster management throughout Tonga.
“With this assistance NEMO will be able to respond more effectively to any emergency that may occur.”
H.E. Yukio Numata in his remarks acknowledged the keen effort from both Governments, committing to reinforce NEMO’s emergency response for the people of Tonga.
“I am sure that these equipment will greatly stand by as much needed provisions in preparation during disasters as well as its aftermath of the recovery process,” stated the Ambassador.
The products available under the grant includes; 4 cargo crane truck, 2 water tank trucks, 1 septic tank truck, 15 tents, 20 mobile toilets, 2 life boats with engines, 15 chainsaws, 10 emergency lamps with generators, 5 manual forklifts, 1 mini excavator, and other technical equipment which are essential in emergency responses.
“In recognition of the Kingdom’s vulnerabilities to the various threats of Climate Change, the equipment from the people and the Government of Japan will help develop Tonga’s capability and capacity to safeguard people’s lives during times of disasters,” added H.E Numata.
This is the second time that NEMO office received the assistance from NPGA following the first handing over in June 2015, and welcomes future support to improve experience and skills in this area.
Japan’s NPGA was introduced as a form of commodity aid to promote economic and social development of recipient countries.
The NPGA handover will support Tonga’s efforts to meets its Strategic Development Framework and contribute to the betterment of the welfare of the people of the Kingdom of Tonga.
