Site works for prefab housing settlement at Popua, ahead of the PIFLM53 in August. Photo: MOI / Nuku'alofa, Tonga
With Tonga just six weeks out from hosting the 53rd Pacific Islands Forum leaders' summit (PIFLM53), there are fears the country will struggle to accommodate about 1000 guests.
While a Chinese construction company is finishing off an auditorium at Tonga High School, which will serve as the meeting venue, much of the prefabricated, container housing, to be scattered around Nuku'alofa, is some way from completion.
"[The government] had a plan of constructing prefab houses in different locations. For example, close by in our area in Kolomotu'a, there is supposed to be 20 prefab houses built in one location. In another location across town there is supposed to be 60," RNZ Pacific correspondent in Tonga, Kalafi Moala, said.
"These are the plans that have been announced. But you go to those sites, and there is nothing there yet. It doesn't look good," he said.
A local contractor said there is a still a lot to do to install prefab housing, such as foundations, wiring, and plumbing, not to mention furnishings.
Once these container houses are finished, all going well in time for the summit, the plan by the government is to put them on the market and Moala said some locals have expressed misgivings about the level of interest they expect.
On Monday, Matangi Tonga reported that Prime Minister Hu'akavameiliku told media during a briefing that they are trying to complete the accommodation and construction of prefab houses before the first week of August.
But Moala said "the feeling locally, you get this from not only social media, you are talking to people there is a lot of scepticism on the internet, you can go and borrow money from a bank to build a proper house."
Prefab houses made from containers are under construction at Vaha'akolo Road, Kolofo'ou, near the National Retirement Benefits Fund building. Photo: MOI / Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Moala senses that the government is "in a panic mode" and worried the construction will not be completed on time because it now is calling on the general public to help.
He said the it looks like the government has come to the realisation that some of these things are not going to be finished.
"Please, if you have room in your home, make those rooms available," is the plea made by the government, according to Moala.
He said the prime ministers and presidents of the Forum nations will be coming with their entourage and if one leader is bringing in about 30 or 40 people, there will be over 1000 people needing accommodation in Tonga in last week of August.
PIFLM53 will take place from 26-30 August.
