Asian Development Bank issued the following announcement on Sept. 13.

The Government of Australia has provided a $290,000 (AU$400,000) grant as additional financing for an ongoing Asian Development Bank (ADB) project that is improving the delivery of social services in Nuku’alofa, Tonga’s capital.

The grant for the Nuku’alofa Urban Development Sector Project was signed today by ADB’s Director General for the Pacific Ms. Carmela Locsin and ADB Executive Director Mr. Syurkani Ishak Kasim, on behalf of the Government of Tonga, at a ceremony in ADB’s headquarters in Manila.

The project, cofinanced by ADB and the governments of Australia and Tonga, was approved in October 2011 and is designed to improve the living conditions of people in Nuku’alofa and boost their access to municipal services.

“Through this project, the people of Nuku’alofa are receiving more efficient and sustainable sanitation services,” said the Regional Director of ADB’s Pacific Subregional Office in Fiji Mr. Masayuki Tachiiri. “In particular, the Waste Authority Limited have improved their services and the people in Nuku’alofa’s urban center are reaping the benefits now.”

The additional financing will provide further support to the project, including replacing vital infrastructure at Tapuhia Waste Management Facility and a review of their asset management system. Additional sanitation awareness programs in Nuku’alofa will also be provided.

With a total financing value of $16.9 million, the project targets five components of Nuku’alofa’s urban services, including a strengthened policy environment for the delivery of urban services and improved water supply and solid waste services. It will also raise community awareness of the sanitation improvements, service standards, water conservation, and demand management.

“Australia is pleased to be supporting the replacement of vital infrastructure at Tapuhia Waste Management Facility following Cyclone Gita, a review of the facility’s asset management system, and the provision of sanitation awareness programs in Nuku’alofa. Our continued urban development support for Tonga, in partnership with ADB, also helps foster disaster and climate change resilience,” said Australia’s Acting High Commissioner Ms. Tracey McMartin.

ADB has been working with the Government of Tonga since 1972. It has approved 17 loans and 17 grants totaling $157.3 million from the Asian Development Fund, and 66 technical assistance projects worth $22.42 million.

ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. In 2018, it made commitments of new loans and grants amounting to $21.6 billion. Established in 1966, it is owned by 68 members—49 from the region.

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