The Authority is currently governed by a new Shared Board of Directors for 'Transport Sector' which consisted of the:

• Chairman: Daniel Kimball Fale
• Deputy Chairman - Sione Talanoa Fifita
• HSH Prince Kalaniuvalu Fotofili
• 'Inoke Finau Vala
• Fakahau Valu
• Semisi Tapueluelu
• Viliami Ma'ake

MANAGEMENT TEAM:

The management and operation of the Authority is under the direction of the Acting CEO; Mr. 'Alo Maileseni with the assistant of the following key personnel;

• Mele Havea Lavemaau– Manager Corporate Services.
• Iketau Kaufusi– Manager Infrastructure & Technical Services.
• Halloween Kisina– Manager Operation.
• Hakau Motu Fakapelea– Manager Marine Services and Port Master.
• Brisbane Lokotui – Ports Security Facility Officer
• VACANT- Risk & Compliance Manager.

Tuesday, 22^nd of February, 2021 | Nuku’alofa, St George Building, PAT held its 2020 Annual General Meeting with the sole shareholder of the Authority, the Government of Tonga. Representing the Shareholder to the Meeting was the Honorable Minister of Public Enterprises and Prime Minister of Tonga - Hon. Rev. Dr. Pohiva Tui’onetoa along with his CEO - Mr. Sione ‘Akauola and Deputy CEO (Monitoring and Compliance Division) Mrs. Falahola Naidu. This is the Annual General Meeting for the financial year ended 30 th June 2020 that was deferred from last year.

The Chairman of the Shared Transport Sector Board of Directors, Mr. Daniel Kimball Fale welcomed Hon. Rev. Dr. Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa to Ports Authority Tonga’s (PAT) Annual General Meeting at the Ministry of Finance and National Planning conference room, level 2 St George Building, Nuku’alofa.

During the Meeting the Directors declared and paid to the Shareholder a total of $1,541,445 as dividend. The dividend paid is equivalent to 75% of PAT Net Profit After Tax of $2,055,260 for the financial year ended 30 th June 2020. In this regard, PAT maintained the same percentage of dividend paid last year which was 75% of the Authority’s NPAT.

It was noted during the meeting that PAT’s performance for FY 2019/20 was significantly affected by COVID-19, the cargo throughput dropped by 12% while number of ships called went down by 14% which contributed to the 10% reduction in total income from $13.4 million to $12.1 million.
Expenditure on the other hand increased by 4% which was mainly attributed to an increase in Depreciation cost as a result of the new CAPEX investment during the year and Finance cost. As a result, the Authority’s NPAT decreased by 38% from $3.3 million of the previous year to $2.1 million. For the first time in the last five years return on equity was below the 10% required rate of return set by the Ministry of Public Enterprises.

Despite the challenges of Covid 19, PAT still maintained a strong financial position at year end with a Net Cash flow from Operating Activities of more than $4.3 million and Gearing ratio of 20% meaning PAT is still having room for more debt to fund its infrastructure development. The period was notable for the level of CAPEX investment completed during the year despite the adverse effects of COVID-19 over its cash flow position. The total CAPEX for the year was $4.6 million which is the second highest CAPEX over the last five years.

This includes the acquisition of the new working barge from Australia. The project was $1.5 million and was funded from PAT’s cash flow and secured bank loan. The dry dock of the MV Tugboat Hifofua in Fiji was also funded from PAT’s cash flow at a total of $1.2 million. In addition, PAT completed the upgrade of the slipway with a total cost of $626,539 to be able to slip and repair the boats and vessels in Tonga. These amongst other capital projects such as the tar sealing of the new domestic wharf car park, fencing replacement for the Queen Salote International Wharf, cargo shed upgrade and the acquisition of the online e-procurement software was completed during the 2019/20 financial year.

ENDS
Issued by: Ports Authority Tonga.

11 May 2022

Ports Authority Tonga and the Puloka Construction Ltd on the 5th of May 2022 signed a $3.2 million agreement for phase one of the works for the New Custom Inspection Warehouse Facility.

Over the years, the severe operational bottlenecks and the fundamental issues of aligning people, processes, and technology at the Port of Nuku’alofa for Customs and Quarantine inspection became an issue. One of the current operational bottlenecks is the lack of area and facility for Custom to carry out
the cargo inspection thus causing delay in cargo clearance during the peak season.

Given the obligation of Ports Authority Tonga under the Ports Authority Act to facilitate trade by providing sufficient port facilities, the Authority felt the need for the upgrade of the existing Custom warehouse and the construction of a new cargo inspection facility.

The project will provide a proper facility for efficient and effective cargo clearance at the Port of Nuku’alofa. This need also became more apparent as Tonga embarked on the war against the importation and illegal trade of illicit drugs in response to His Majesty King Tupou VI’s statement at the National Symposium on Illicit Drugs. His Majesty stated that “the Problem of illicit drugs is a national issue that requires an urgent integrated national response and government must allocate and prioritize finances towards this important endeavor as a matter of urgency”.

The project will be implemented in two phases. Some of the major components of phase one is the construction of the New Cargo Inspection Facility which will feature two office complexes for PAT and Custom officers, nine bays for dry inspection services, four bays for frozen inspection services and one bay for storage. This phase is proposed to be implement first in this financial year 2021/2022. Phase one considers the installation of CCTV cameras at the inspection area to improve the supervision of containers the installation of a Customs scanner for container inspections. This warehouse, upon completion, will be the first and only one of its kind in Tonga.

Phase two involves the Upgrade of the Existing Custom Warehouse featuring the extension of the north verandah for container devanning and cargo pick-up services, east extension for public waiting area and café and modification of warehouse interior for new offices for the Custom, Guarantee and PAT officers
to overlook the entire internal cargo sorting and processing operations. PAT hopes that the new set up will also accomplish the idea of a one stop shop for customers. This phase is to be implemented after the completion of phase one which is planned for the financial year 2022/2023.

Since this type of project does not generate any real return to the Authority, PAT sought the assistance of the Government of Tonga at its Annual General Meeting for a cost sharing arrangement on this project through dividend paid to the Shareholder.

PAT acknowledges the Architect who is also the Project Supervisor, Mr. Lisiate Tupou of Quality Design and the Authority’s Infrastructure and Technical Services Major Projects Manager, Mr. Andrew Niukapu for working collaboratively on the technical aspects and design of the project.

The agreement for the project was signed by Mr. Tevita Fatafehi Puloka (Managing Director) on behalf of the Puloka Construction Ltd and Mr. ‘Alo ki Hakau Maileseni (Acting CEO) on behalf of Ports Authority Tonga in the Authority’s head office at Queen Salote Wharf.

-ENDS-

Issued by the: Ports Authority Tonga, Queen Salote Wharf, Nuku’alofa, Tel: (676) 23168, Website: www.portsauthoritytonga.com

PRESS RELEASE

Issued on: Wednesday, 8th September 2021.

Prime Minister and Minister for Public Enterprises, Hon. Rev. Dr. Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa and Chairman of the Transport Sector Board of Directors Mr. Daniel Kimball Fale. 8th September 2021.

On 8th September 2021, a Handover Ceremony for the Grant Assistance from the Government of Tonga to Ports Authority Tonga was held at the Prime Minister’s Office, Nuku’alofa.

 The Prime Minister of Tonga, Hon Rev Dr Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa, handed over the grant of TOP$1,541,445 million pa’anga to the Chairman of the Transport Sector Board of Directors, Mr. Daniel Kimball Fale. This grant is equivalent to the Ports Authority Tonga’s declared and paid dividend to the Government.

The purpose of the grant is to contribute to the material, equipment and capital goods costs for the implementation and construction of the Prime Minister’s Small Islands Wharves Project for Nomuka and ‘Uiha Islands.

Chairman Fale thanked the Government of Tonga for the grant assistance. He said, “this is the first time for a major project such as this, to be executed in this way. This is the Government’s project which is implemented via Ports Authority Tonga as one of its Public Enterprise entities. The said project includes community involvement and funding from the island communities”. He added that one of the reason as to why this projected is implemented through Public Enterprise partnership is due to the experience and expertise of the Authority to successfully complete the project. Secondly, there are resources and equipment available at Ports Authority to assist with implementation of the project”.

In delivering the vote of thanks, the Chairman of the Nomuka Community Wharf Committee, Rev. Dr. Feke Mafi said, “this project for the people of Nomuka began with a dream. In previous years, there were risks related to offloading cargoes and people at Nomuka’s wharf, as this operation was done in the deep sea either in the early mornings or late at night. Today we are close to seeing this project come to life, with the hope to provide safer wharves for the people of Nomuka and ‘Uiha”.

“The due processes for this project have been documented, submitted to and approved by Cabinet”, said Chairman Fale.

Ports Authority Tonga is the implementing agency in the said project, and will work in partnership with the Government.

Also present at the handover ceremony were Mr. Edgar Cocker, the Chief Secretary and Secretary to Cabinet, Governor of Ha’apai Hon. Manu’opangai Hingano, Chairlady of the ‘Uiha Wharf Committee Rev. Tutaleva Lolohea, the ACEO for the Ports Authority Tonga, Mr. Alo Maileseni, Ms. Falahola Naidu the Deputy CEO from the Ministry of Public Enterprises, Mr. Iketau Kaufusi, Technical Manager for Ports Authority’s Infrastructure and Technical Services Division, and members from the Nomuka and ‘Uiha Wharves Committees.

- Ends -