Nuku’alofa-March 20: 10.30am, TONGA DAILY NEWS PALOMESI PANGIKE A MAMANI US$8MILIONA KE LANGAAKI NGAAHI FALE NOFOANGA I HAAPAI Only residential housing will be included in the US$8 million funding pledged by the World Bank for Ha’apai. Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister for Infrastructure, Hon Samiu Vaipulu has confirmed this, adding that school buildings are not included in the funding package at the moment. “This project involves residential houses only and the construction of school buildings has been excluded,” Hon Vaipulu said. “It includes renovating houses that were partially destroyed by the cyclone. “There-construction looked at three different groupings. There were houses that were completely destroyed, some that faced major damages and also houses that faced minimal damage from Cyclone Ian. “We did not think of those that suffered minimal damage but the World Bank team brought it up during their last visit.” The World Bank is offering more than 8-million US dollars to help with the construction of new transitional homes for the affected families in Ha’apai. About 800 homes will need to be repaired and rebuilt on Ha’apai, following the devastation left by Cyclone Ian in January. The World Bank and Government will share the cost. “The World Bank has revealed that they have US$8million for this project,” Hon Vaipulu said. “The World Bank is likely to release their funding in June or July.” Hon Vaipulu said the construction and repairs to school buildings will be looked at with other possible funding agencies. He said Government is doing its best to help revive Ha’apai’s economic status.
Posted on: Thu, 20 Mar 2014 02:49:51 +0000
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