Tonga : Nuku'alofa Urban Development Sector Project
The Project will support the establishment of municipal government in Nuku'alofa and will provide high priority urban infrastructure identified in the Nuku'alofa Urban Infrastructure Development Plan (UIDP). The Project will expand upon infrastructure development currently being undertaken in Nuku'alofa through the Nuku'alofa Reconstruction Project (NRP) and the Integrated Urban Development Sector Project (IUDSP).
Project Details
-
Project Officer
King, Grace
Pacific Department
Request for information -
Country/Economy
Tonga -
Sector
- Water and other urban infrastructure and services
Related Projects
| Project Name | Nuku'alofa Urban Development Sector Project | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Project Number | 42394-022 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Country / Economy | Tonga |
||||||||||||||||||||
| Project Status | Closed | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Project Type / Modality of Assistance | Grant |
||||||||||||||||||||
| Source of Funding / Amount |
|
||||||||||||||||||||
| Strategic Agendas | Environmentally sustainable growth Inclusive economic growth |
||||||||||||||||||||
| Drivers of Change | Gender Equity and Mainstreaming Governance and capacity development Partnerships |
||||||||||||||||||||
| Sector / Subsector | Water and other urban infrastructure and services / Other urban services - Urban policy, institutional and capacity development - Urban solid waste management - Urban water supply |
||||||||||||||||||||
| Gender | Effective gender mainstreaming | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Description | The Project will support the establishment of municipal government in Nuku'alofa and will provide high priority urban infrastructure identified in the Nuku'alofa Urban Infrastructure Development Plan (UIDP). The Project will expand upon infrastructure development currently being undertaken in Nuku'alofa through the Nuku'alofa Reconstruction Project (NRP) and the Integrated Urban Development Sector Project (IUDSP). | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Project Rationale and Linkage to Country/Regional Strategy | Nuku'alofa, Tonga's capital, has a population of 34,058 (34% of the national population) and is forecast to grow to 45,000 (or about 40% of Tonga's population) by 2030. Migration to Nuku'alofa from Tonga's outer islands is significant. Urban growth in Tonga is a relatively recent phenomenon and has not been matched by the provision of, or improvement in the delivery of, urban services. Living conditions for many of Nuku'alofa residents are deteriorating and demand for improved urban infrastructure is increasing. Development pressure in Nuku'alofa is increasing due to population growth. The existing urban infrastructure is barely capable of meeting the demands from the current urban population. Upgrading of existing infrastructure is being undertaken through NRP and IUDSP. However, the scope of these projects is limited and do not meet all immediate infrastructure needs. Further investment in urban infrastructure is urgently required. Land for urban expansion of Nuku'alofa is limited to the peripheral agricultural and ecologically sensitive areas. |
||||||||||||||||||||
| Impact | The living conditions for the Nuku'alofa urban population improved. |
||||||||||||||||||||
| Project Outcome | |
|---|---|
| Description of Outcome | Access by Nuku''alofa residents to improved municipal services increased. |
| Progress Toward Outcome | The construction of new 4,000m3 reservoirs at Mataki'eua, the rehabilitation and extension of borefields at Mataki'eua and Tongamai and the zoning of the Nuku'alofa water supply has been completed. Community sentiment is positive as improved water flow and pressure is being reported within the Nuku'alofa network service area. Consumer access to solid waste management services in Nuku'alofa is at 100%. A new cell and new septage beds were constructed at Tapuhia Waste Management Facility. New specialised vehicles have been procured for WAL and TWB. A village solid waste management scheme was successfully completed and WAL have incorporated the villages in their island-wide solid waste collection service. The rehabilitation of 3 and construction of 4 new public convenience facilities around Nuku'alofa have been completed. New public convenience facilities have also been built at Teufaiva Stadium and the rehabilitation of access roads, drainage, sidewalks, streetlights have been completed. |
| Implementation Progress | |
| Description of Project Outputs | Strengthened policy environment for delivery of urban services. Effective, efficient and sustainable water supply services in Nuku'alofa (core subproject) provided by TWB. Sustainable solid waste services in Nuku'alofa (core subproject) provided by WAL. Other municipal services within Nuku'alofa improved. Raised community awareness of municipal services. |
| Status of Implementation Progress (Outputs, Activities, and Issues) | (1) 6 local consultant positions were funded by the project for 2 years to Jul15, with 1 extension to Jul17. WAL and TWB tariffs were evaluated and GOT supported new tariffs and levies for WAL including cruise ship environment levy and increased plastic levy which commenced in 2015 and in Sep19, WAL increased its household and commercial waste collection charges/fees. Training on asset management plans (AMP) were held in 2014 and 2015 and WAL and TWB include their AMPs as a mandated component of their annual Business Plans which are submitted to MPE in May each year. (2) A contract for ICB-TWB01 Lot 1 Civil works for rehab and extension of borefields at Mataki'eua and Tongamai and Lot 2 Design and construction of 4,000m3 reservoirs at Mataki'eua was awarded in Jun15; delays were faced and additional materials were needed; practical completion was certified in Mar19 and after minor defects were addressed; subproject was commissioned in Dec19. A contract for ICB-TWB02 Civil works for the zoning of Nuku'alofa water supply was awarded in Dec15; delays were also faced and the subproject was completed in Jun20. 2,025 lockable stop water meter valves to support TWB's new meter replacement program were procured in Apr19. (3) New cell no. 2 constructed at Tapuhia WMF; new landfill compactor and new wheeled loader procured for Tapuhia WMF; groundwater testing system reactivated after delivery of new testing equipment; a pilot village waste collection study, comprising 7 villages was completed and WAL have incorporated all the villages into their island-wide solid waste collection services; a new financial management software package was procured for WAL in 2013 and the updating of their Financial Management Procedures has been completed. (4) 3 public convenience facilities rehabilitated and 4 new constructed around Nuku'alofa completed in 2017; new service trailer for public conveniences and green waste processing equipment procured for WAL in 2017; sanitation facilities for 10 poor/vulnerable households completed in 2019; 3 new public convenience facilities constructed at Teufaiva Stadium completed 2020; municipal garbage bins for public events procured for WAL in 2019; repair of Teufaiva Stadium access road and carpark completed; new entrance at the Tonga Police compound next to Teufaiva Stadium completed Dec18; new storage and servicing shed completed at Tapuhia WMF in May20. (5) Following approval of the remaining sections of the NSPM Act 2012 in Jun17, the project prepared draft community awareness information leaflets and procedures for the issuing of development consents which were provided to NSPAO and MLNR in Q4 2017. WAL/PMU continued to carry out public awareness programs for sanitation improvements; public consultations and awareness programs (radio talk back shows) on service standards, water conservation and demand management continued throughout the project. Customer complaints systems were setup in WAL and TWB; in late 2019, lower levels of customer complaints were records, as customers became more aware of the services being provided. Consultations with women's groups and community associations was ongoing throughout the project. 12 "Women of Tonga" videos were produced and a full launch was held in Jun19. |
| Geographical Location | Nation-wide, Nuku'alofa |
| Safeguard Categories | |
|---|---|
| Environment | B |
| Involuntary Resettlement | B |
| Indigenous Peoples | C |
| Summary of Environmental and Social Aspects | |
|---|---|
| Environmental Aspects | The ESU established in NSPAO oversees the environmental and social issues of the overall project. They are supported by the WAL ESU, which was first established for the construction of Cell 2 and entails preparation, design, construction, implementation, operation and decommissioning. An ESU has also been established at TWB, for the construction phases of TWB01 and TWB02. Feasibility studies for the new candidate subprojects have been cleared and meet the requirements set forth in the project IEE and the EARF. |
| Involuntary Resettlement | The updated resettlement plan for the core water subproject was approved and disclosed on ADB website in August 2014. No resettlement activities were reported during January-June 2020 Safeguards Monitoring period. |
| Indigenous Peoples | |
| Stakeholder Communication, Participation, and Consultation | |
| During Project Design | |
| During Project Implementation | |
| Business Opportunities | |
|---|---|
| Consulting Services | The total consultant input is estimated at 15.5 person-months, of which 7 person-months will be from international consulting services and 8.5 person-months will be from national consulting services. The consultants will be recruited individually. |
| Responsible ADB Officer | King, Grace |
| Responsible ADB Department | Pacific Department |
| Responsible ADB Division | Pacific Subregional Office in Suva, Fiji (SPSO) |
| Executing Agencies |
Ministry of Finance |
| Timetable | |
|---|---|
| Concept Clearance | 28 Oct 2010 |
| Fact Finding | 20 Jun 2011 to 24 Jun 2011 |
| MRM | 29 Jul 2011 |
| Approval | 17 Oct 2011 |
| Last Review Mission | - |
| Last PDS Update | 25 Jan 2021 |
Grant 0264-TON
| Milestones | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Approval | Signing Date | Effectivity Date | Closing | ||
| Original | Revised | Actual | |||
| 17 Oct 2011 | 11 Jan 2012 | 10 Apr 2012 | 31 Dec 2017 | 30 Jun 2020 | 08 Dec 2020 |
| Financing Plan | Grant Utilization | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total (Amount in US$ million) | Date | ADB | Others | Net Percentage | |
| Project Cost | 8.15 | Cumulative Contract Awards | |||
| ADB | 6.06 | 17 Jun 2022 | 6.06 | 0.00 | 100% |
| Counterpart | 2.09 | Cumulative Disbursements | |||
| Cofinancing | 0.00 | 17 Jun 2022 | 6.06 | 0.00 | 100% |
| Status of Covenants | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category | Sector | Safeguards | Social | Financial | Economic | Others |
| Rating | - | Satisfactory | - | Partly satisfactory | Satisfactory | Satisfactory |
Grant 0265-TON
| Milestones | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Approval | Signing Date | Effectivity Date | Closing | ||
| Original | Revised | Actual | |||
| 17 Oct 2011 | 11 Jan 2012 | 10 Apr 2012 | 31 Dec 2017 | 30 Jun 2020 | 08 Dec 2020 |
| Financing Plan | Grant Utilization | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total (Amount in US$ million) | Date | ADB | Others | Net Percentage | |
| Project Cost | 8.46 | Cumulative Contract Awards | |||
| ADB | 0.00 | 17 Jun 2022 | 0.00 | 7.45 | 88% |
| Counterpart | 0.00 | Cumulative Disbursements | |||
| Cofinancing | 8.46 | 17 Jun 2022 | 0.00 | 7.45 | 88% |
| Status of Covenants | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category | Sector | Safeguards | Social | Financial | Economic | Others |
| Rating | - | Satisfactory | - | Unsatisfactory | Satisfactory | Satisfactory |
Project Data Sheets (PDS) contain summary information on the project or program. Because the PDS is a work in progress, some information may not be included in its initial version but will be added as it becomes available. Information about proposed projects is tentative and indicative.
The Access to Information Policy (AIP) recognizes that transparency and accountability are essential to development effectiveness. It establishes the disclosure requirements for documents and information ADB produces or requires to be produced.
The Accountability Mechanism provides a forum where people adversely affected by ADB-assisted projects can voice and seek solutions to their problems and report alleged noncompliance of ADB's operational policies and procedures.
In preparing any country program or strategy, financing any project, or by making any designation of, or reference to, a particular territory or geographic area in this document, the Asian Development Bank does not intend to make any judgments as to the legal or other status of any territory or area.
Safeguard Documents See also: Safeguards
Safeguard documents provided at the time of project/facility approval may also be found in the list of linked documents provided with the Report and Recommendation of the President.
Evaluation Documents See also: Independent Evaluation
| Title | Document Type | Document Date |
|---|---|---|
| Tonga: Nuku’alofa Urban Development Sector Project | Validations of Project Completion Reports | Nov 2022 |
Related Publications
None currently available.
The Access to Information Policy (AIP) establishes the disclosure requirements for documents and information ADB produces or requires to be produced in its operations to facilitate stakeholder participation in ADB's decision-making. For more information, refer to the Safeguard Policy Statement, Operations Manual F1, and Operations Manual L3.
Requests for information may also be directed to the InfoUnit.
Improved Water Supply, Greener Capital To Build a More Livable Future in Tonga
Rapid urbanization, population growth and climate change have severely affected Tonga’s water supply, sanitation and infrastructure. The Nuku'Alofa Urban Development Sector Project helped improve water accessibility and supply in the country.ADB, Tonga Sign Grant Agreement for Ongoing Urban Project
The Government of Australia has provided a $290,000 (AU$400,000) grant as additional financing for an ongoing ADB project that is improving the delivery of social services in Nuku’alofa, Tonga’s capital.Australia Provides Additional Funding to Urban Development Project in Tonga
Australia is providing AU$2.30 million ($1.73 million) in additional financing to the ongoing ADB-cofinanced Nuku’alofa Urban Development Sector Project, which will help improve social services delivery in Nuku’alofa.
Tenders
Contracts Awarded
Procurement Plan
| Title | Document Type | Document Date |
|---|---|---|
| Nuku’alofa Urban Development Sector Project | Procurement Plans | Jan 2015 |