New Early Warning System and Disaster Communications for Tonga Featured
After the Bid Opening, front row from left: Mr. Paula Ma'u, Hon. Poasi Tei, Mr. Tanaka and HE Lady Tania Fusitu'a. Standing behind the Hon. Minister is Mr. Feleti Tu'ihalamaka with Solomone Finau at far right and the rest of the Japanese delegation.
4 March, 2019. Tonga will benefit from installation of a nationwide early warning system and strengthening of disaster communications, known as NEWS, for all its island groups up to the two Niuas within the next few months, in a project funded by the Japanese Government through JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency).
The overall objective of the project is to save lives of the people and their properties, and to reduce risks and damages to basic services, infrastructure and the environments at time of natural disasters.
Project main components include:
- Emergency Radio Communications System for disaster related organizations,
- Early Warning Sound Alert System of 75 siren and loud speakers, and 514 Remote Activated Radios (RAR)
- Improvement of Tonga Broadcasting Corporation (TBC) Infrastructure (AM Radio broadcasting infrastructure, equipment and antennae tower facilities at Popua site, and new headquarter building and facilities at Fasimoeafi site), and
- Training requirements for the operation and maintenance of these facilities and equipment and software applications, drafting of related standard of procedure and manuals, and conducting drills and workshops with the National Emergency Management Office (NEMO) and the Tonga Meteorological Service.
Bidding for a successful contractor for the project was opened on 20 February 2019 in Tokyo, Japan, by Hon. Poasi M. Tei, Minister for Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change and Communications (MEIDECC).
Minister re-emphasized that project is timely to save lives and properties and disaster risk mitigation, given that Tonga is second most-at-risk country in the world to natural disasters.
He added that Tonga in the past has experienced worst impacts of natural disasters like the earthquake and tsunami that hit Niuatoputapu in September 2009 with 9 lives lost, Tropical Cyclone Ian that hit Ha’apai in January 2014 and most recently Tropical Cyclone Gita that hit Tongatapu and ‘Eua in February last year, which had caused extensive damages. The installation of these early warning system which will be channeled through in a new broadcasting infrastructure from the Tonga Broadcasting Commission throughout Tonga and its territorial waters, will provide a more resilient effort in preparation before, during and after any disaster.
The Consortium of NBK Corporation and Dai Nippon Construction of Japan won the contract with US$25.5 million, and will implement the project throughout Tonga beginning in April this year. Contract was signed on behalf of Tonga by the CEO for MEIDECC, Mr. Paula Pouvalu Ma’u, and Mr. Masakazu Dazai for the Contractor.
The consortium will be in Tonga for kick off meeting on 15 March 2019, followed by the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the Tonga Broadcasting Commission new Studio Building at the end of March.
The project targets to be commissioned in August, 2020.
