“Hon. ‘Isileli Pulu Appointed as Minister for Labour, Commerce and Industries” 01st September 2011

Consequent to so

Former Minister for LCI, Hon. Lisiate ‘Aloveita ‘Akolo who is the new Minister for Police, Prisons and Fire Services commenced work today.

Hon. Pulu of Mango, Ha’apai and Ma’ufanga, Tongatapu

The Princess Regent, Her Royal Highness, Princess Salote Mafile’o Pilolevu Tuita has accepted the recommendation from the Prime Minister, Lord Tu’ivakano to appoint Hon ‘Uliti Uata as the Minister of Health on 25th January 2011.

Hon Uata of Ha’ano, Ha’apai was born on 24th August 1936; he is married to Lu’isa and they have 10 children.

Hon Uata is an experienced businessman who has run his own successful businesses for the last 40 years with his family- including inter-islands ferries, general store, tourism, and others, employing a lot of people and always with the aim of helping the people of Tonga.

Hon Uata is and has been a Member of Parliament for the last 24 years representing the Ha’apai Islands.

In order to devote his time and efforts to his new role as a Government Minister, he has divested himself of his business interest in favour of his children.

He has commenced his duties as a Minister today and has met the Chief Secretary & Secretary to Cabinet, Mr Busby Kautoke and Director of Health, Dr Siale ‘Akau’ola to become familiar with his duties as a Cabinet Minister and also with the work of his ministry.

The Meeting of the Pacific ACP Ministers held in Apia from 3-4 February 2011 appointed the Hon. Lisiate ‘Aloveita ‘Akolo, Tonga’s Minister for Labour, Commerce and Industries responsible for trade to be the Pacific ACP Lead Spokesperson for negotiations with the European Union (EU) on Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA). The Lead Spokesperson plays a key role in facilitating and communicating the Pacific interests to the European Union on EPA negotiations including reporting responsibilities.
“Notable progress has been made in the negotiations whilst a number of outstanding and key contentious issues remain to be resolved and will undertake best effort within the region and the EU at the political and technical levels to determine what is best possible to be achieved by the Pacific ACP countries’ as stated by Minister ‘Akolo reflecting on the challenges that comes with role to advance progress of negotiations and achieve the intended results of the EPA.
Alternate Spokespersons were also elected by the meeting including Vanuatu’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade, Commerce & Tourism, the Hon. Ham Lini, and Nauru’s Minister for Foreign Affairs & Trade, the Hon. Dr Kieren Keke.
Hon. Lisiate ‘Akolo as one of the senior Trade Ministers in the region brings to the role a wealth of experience ranging from the private sector, the Pacific region to being appointed by His Late Majesty King Taufa’ahau Tupou IV to be a Minister in the previous Government, and his recent political appointment to the new Government in 2011 after being elected into Parliament from his constituent in Vava’u. They include his appointment as Managing Director for the Tonga Development Bank (1982 – 1989), Managing Director of the Tonga Commodities Board (1989 – 1992), Tonga Investment Limited from 1992 to 1994, and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for the South Pacific Tourism Organization (SPTO) in Fiji for over 6 years.

Ministry of Labour, Commerce and Industries
11 February 2011.