The new Governor of Tonga's Ha'apai island group says he will send a clear message to the Government when the Prime Minister visits today.
Houses are still badly damaged months after Cyclone Ian. Photo: Richard Small
Mo'ale Finau, the first commoner to be appointed Governor, will host newly-elected leader 'Akilisi Pohiva, and the new Minister of Infrastructure, 'Etuate Lavulavu, on an official visit.
Since Cyclone Ian destroyed homes in January 2014, around 80 percent of people affected are still living in tents.
Mr Finau says the new Government has a clear plan to build, despite legal issues over ownership of land.
"Now it's one year already, most of the people, 80 percent of them are still in tents, so my message to them is to go ahead and finish the work. People are out in the sun, some people are still in tents, it's unfair because the money is here, the fund has already been donated to the Government, so it's way too slow, so my message to them is to go ahead and finish the job."
Mo'ale Finau says he plans to also build a seawall as a defence against future cyclones.
