A once-prominent vessel, celebrated for its speed and previously regarded as an alternative to air travel in Tonga, has unexpectedly been rendered non-operational just five years after its launch. The Minister of Public Enterprises, Piveni Piukala, recently reviewed government-owned entities, including the shipping agency FISA, during which he discovered that the highly-praised catamaran is no longer in commission.
The vessel has since been transferred to the Fokololo ‘o e Hau organization, where it is now being repurposed to instruct sailing students in painting and vessel maintenance techniques. During a national development planning summit held in Nuku’alofa, Minister Piukala expressed concerns about the substantial funds being allocated for the vessel over the years and attributed its decline to what he termed “selfish leadership.”
Furthermore, Minister Piukala reported on the recent sale of the MV Niuvākai, another vessel purchased by FISA in 2014. The MV Niuvākai was sold for just NZ$43,000 (about US$24,646), a stark contrast to its acquisition price of NZ$936,500 (around US$536,778), illustrating the financial mismanagement surrounding these maritime assets.
The $8.3 million aluminum catamaran, launched by King Tupou VI in January 2018, was initially embraced by residents of outer islands for its capability to cover short distances. For instance, the catamaran was known for traveling from Nuku’alofa to Nomuka in approximately two hours, an impressive feat for local transportation.
It’s vital to recognize the impact of leadership and responsibility in managing public ventures. While the non-operational status of the vessel is disappointing, there may be a silver lining in its repurposing for educational purposes, which can benefit the next generation of sailors and practitioners in maritime trades.
The situation serves as a reminder of the importance of accountability and sustainable management in government projects. Such lessons can help pave the way for future initiatives that genuinely serve the community’s needs and uphold transparency.
With a focus on learning from this experience, there is hope that future maritime projects will be approached with better stewardship and foresight, enhancing connectivity and serving the interests of all islanders.
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