Nuku’alofa-March 22: 12.35pm, TONGA DAILY NEWS MEA FAKAONGO FAKATOKANGA (SIREN SYSTEM) FOKOTUU I KANOKUPOLU People of the Western District or Hihifo now have a warning system in place to help them in times of natural disasters such as a tsunami attack. The new system at the Kanokupolu Government Primary School was launched by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Tupouto’a ‘Ulukalala on Thursday. The program is a pilot project funded by the Japanese government with assistance from telecommunication company, Asia Pacific Telecommunity (APT). The newly commissioned siren will warn residents in the Western District of natural disasters such as tsunamis. The new system cost around US$25,000 but the whole set up, which includes other sirens around Tongatapu is estimated to cost close to US$9 million. Prime Minister Lord Tu’ivakano said his government will continue to work on ensuring that Tonga is provided with warning systems so that people are able to get the warning early and act before a tsunami attacks. “We may mark today the completion of this project but government wishes to pursue further having the same system positioned all over Tonga. All parts of Tonga including our territorial waters are exposed as risky areas to natural disaster, especially tsunami,” Lord Tu’ivakano said. “Government is currently working on a proposal to install similar systems to the outer groups to mitigate natural disasters, using ICT and the internet through our national broadcaster, Tonga Broadcasting Commission.” APT representative Mr Takashi Mishikata said the whole project has one aim. “The Objective of this project is very clear, to save the lives of people in Tonga,” he said. “The disaster warning system that has been installed through this project ensures that its transmission of information will reach the people and ultimately save the people’s lives in Tonga.” A similar system is installed in the village of Kolovai while another one is installed in the office of the Ministry of Information and Communications, at the Otto Sanft Building in Nuku’alofa.
Posted on: Sat, 22 Mar 2014 01:55:46 +0000
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