15 Sep 2014

Tonga to subsidise power costs for some

10:18 am on 15 September 2014

The Tonga Government is to subsidise electricity for people it regards as less fortunate.

The Minister of Finance, Aisake Eke, has announced the Electricity Tariff Lifeline which will see his government pay a portion of each kilowatt of electricity used by certain consumers.

The subsidy will take effect on January 1 2015, six weeks after the country goes to the polls.

The minister says the initiative is to help those facing financial constraints.

He says the government is making sure there is enough money allocated to the project so the new government will not face difficulties.