26 Aug 2004

Tonga PM details ministerial shake-up

7:28 am on 26 August 2004

The Prime Minister of Tonga has revealed plans to reorganise the government, adding a home affairs ministry and later a ministry of transportation.

Prince 'Ulukalala Lavaka Ata says, a home or internal affairs ministry, will be created because he has too many duties.

He says he wants to focus on running the government as a whole.

Prince 'Ulukalala says the new ministry will deal with economic development.

He says it will take on the functions of the existing central planning department.

Tonga is also holding talks with the World Bank to fund establishing a transportation ministry.

The Prince says all forms of transport should be under a single ministry.

The new portfolio will bring together the aviation, marines, ports and works departments.