19 January 2012
In a special radio and television broadcast on January 19, the Minister for Education, Women Affairs and Culture, Hon. Dr. ‘Ana Taufe'ulungaki delivered a speech, on behalf of the Government which focused on the key aspects and notable achievements of the Government in the past year.
In her speech, Hon. Dr. ‘Ana Taufe'ulungaki reflected on the key elements of the Government's Vision:
"To develop and promote a just, equitable and progressive society in which the people of Tonga enjoy good health, peace, harmony and prosperity, in meeting their aspirations in life."
The Government's Vision will be achieved by delivering the following 9 Outcome Objectives and based on 4 enabling Themes as follows:
Outcome Objectives:
1. Strong inclusive communities - by engaging districts/villages/communities in meeting their prioritized service needs and ensuring equitable distribution of development benefits
2. Dynamic public and private sector partnership as the engine of growth - by promoting better collaboration between government and business, appropriate incentives and streamling of rules and regulations.
3. Appropriate, well planned and maintained infrastructure that improves the everyday lives of the people and lowers the cost of business - by the adequate funding and implementation of the National Infrastructure Investment Plan (NIIP).
4. Sound education standards - by emphasizing quality, universal basic education.
5. Appropriately skilled workforce to meet the available opportunities in Tonga and overseas, by delivering improved Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET)
6. Improved health of the people by promoting healthy lifestyle choices with particular focus on addressing non-communicable diseases, and providing quality, effective and sustainable health services.
7. Cultural awareness, environmental sustainability, disaster risk management and climate change adaptation, integrated into all planning and implementation of programmes by establishing and adhering to appropriate procedures and consultation mechanisms
8. Better governance by adopting the qualities of good governances, accountability, transparency, anti-corruption and rule of law.
9. Safe, secure and stable society by maintaining law and order.
ENABLING THEMES
The delivery of Tonga's Outcome Objectives will be facilitated through four enabling themes:
1. Continuing progress to a more efficient government by focusing on its core functions, improving coordination, service delivery and optimizing use of resources
2. Improving the macro-economic environment and fiscal management, including effective revenue services to ensure a level playing field and those services to the people can be appropriately funded
3. Ensuring Public Enterprises are sustainable and accountable, and where appropriate moved into the private sector
4. Ensuring a more coordinated whole of government approach in Tonga's partnership with development partners
Each Government Ministry set their program and activities to achieve each Ministry objects and functions in accordance to the Government's outcome objectives and Vision
At the conclusion of 2011, the Ministry of Finance and National Planning reviews the progress of key projects and activities of each Ministry and Government's efforts for the year. A number of notable achievements were mentioned by the Minister included:
1. Estimate Allocation targets achieved - The Ministry of Finance collected revenue of $48.8 million (including $12.8 million EU budget support) exceeding the target of $46.3 million for the period of July to September 2011.
2. Government Public Enterprises Tonga Power Limited is undergoing significant infrastructure improvement to include pursuing renewable energy source programs; The Tonga Cable Ltd, a new public enterprise was established under the Government's Tonga Cable Submarine Connectivity project. Government has been given grants of US$9.7 millions by ADB and US $17.2 million by World Bank to enable Tonga to link by Cable with the Southern Cross Cable. This project is expected to bring significant economic and social benefits and bring high-speed internet which will enable Tonga to improve its education, health and government services.
3. Government's structural reform -Government remains committed to streamlining the civil service structure as the first important step in an ongoing reform program to achieve more effective and efficient public services.
4. Commission of Anti-corruption - Government has agreed to set up a Commission to deal with the alleged corruption practices and fraudulence charges in this country
5. Freedom of Information policy - Since October 2011, the Government has begun implementing a project to draft a policy for freedom of Information, its latest initiative in fulfilling its commitment to the fundamental aim of boosting transparency and accountability in Government, which coincides with the political reform.
6. Targeting for a Healthy Tonga -The Government of Tonga has responded by giving NCDs due prioritization at national level (included in Tonga's Tonga Strategic Development Framework (TSDF)); seeking external assistance with strengthening projects for policies to address NCD, as well as developing strong partnerships with both local and regional development partners and organizations.
7. Ongoing infrastructural development - In the past year, various projects have been implemented to address the urgent infrastructural needs of the country by the reconstructions of roads and transportation links in the Central Business District area of Nuku'alofa and the outer islands.
The Government is also expecting to complete a reconstruction of Vaipua Bridge in Vava'u and looking at negotiating plans for construction of a Bridge to link Nuku'alofa across the lagoon to the Eastern, as part of a disaster evacuation routes plan for the northern parts of Tongatapu.
8. Reduction in Oil prices and pursing solar renewable energy projects - Tonga Outer Island Renewable Energy Project will construct grid-connected Solar Photovoltaic (PV) power plants on the outer islands of Tonga, thereby demonstrating a method for reducing the country's heavy reliance on imported fossil fuels for power generation. This power station will supply about 4% of the requirements of the main island of Tongatapu and reducing the country's diesel usage by approximately 470,000 litres per annum.
9. Democratic reform -Since the new parliamentarians were sworn-in in January, the House has established seven Standing Committees, compared to only two in the previous parliament. This is the true form of democratic process in action, as each of these seven committees, ensures wide range of participation for all those elected to Parliament, and for a majority of those represented are the voices of the people.
10. Emphasizing quality universal standard education - The Ministry of Education, Women Affairs and Culture (MEWAC) and the Ministry of Training, Employment, Youth and Sports (MOTEYS) are the leading Ministries that ensures appropriately skilled workforce to meet the available opportunities in Tonga and overseas, by delivery of improved Technical and Vocational Education & Training
11. Nationwide support - The Prime Minister and His Majesty's Government led the national unity in coordinating the efforts to support the ‘Ikale Tahi during the 2011 Rugby World Cup, where never before has Tonga seen such a united front and nationwide pride on such a level, which is an inspiration to all.
In her concluding remarks, the Honourable Minister set these achievements as aspirations for every civil servant to continue enjoying the spirit of working together and commitment in their roles to fulfilling the goals and objectives set for year 2012.
ENDS
Full Transcript of the Minister's Speech - Tongan Speech.
Issued by the: Ministry of Information and Communications, Nuku'alofa, 2012.
