The Ministry of Infrastructure (MOI) signed stakeholder meeting minutes on Friday for the preparatory survey, part of its partnership with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to rehabilitate the Nuku’alofa’s foreshore. This initiative aims to protect communities from coastal erosion, flooding, and tsunamis.
The project key stakeholders met at the Tanoa International Dateline Hotel to formalize the project’s initial phase. Signatories included Mr. Taniela Kula, CEO for Land and Natural Resources; Mrs. Kilisitina Tuaimei’api, CEO for Finance; Mr. Lopeti Heimuli, CEO for Infrastructure; and Mr. Kobayashi Kenichi, Director for Disaster Risk Reduction at JICA.
“This study, initiated in response to the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha‘apai eruption and tsunami, aims to assess and design stronger coastal protection for the communities of Kolomotu‘a, Sopu, and ‘Isileli,” the MOI stated.
This collaboration reflects a shared commitment to strengthening Tonga’s resilience against climate change and coastal hazards. The survey’s findings will inform the project’s full implementation, aiming to safeguard vulnerable coastal communities.
The Nuku’alofa seawall improvement project extends from Sopu village in the west to Patangata village in the east. The foreshore, originally constructed from concrete, suffered extensive damage during Cyclone Isaac in 1982. Subsequent cyclones, including Gita and Harold, further exacerbated the deterioration, impacting both the foreshore and adjacent properties.
The initiative aligns with broader efforts to enhance infrastructure resilience in Tonga, reflecting the approach taken toward disaster preparedness and environmental sustainability.
