In the wake of the roof truss collapse at the Free Wesleyan Church construction site in Halaʻovave, Tonga, Prime Minister Lord Fakafanua has called for deep reform and stronger national oversight across Tonga’s infrastructure systems.
“I’ve spoken in Parliament so many times about the building code,” said Lord Fakafanua.
“We already have safety laws and regulations in place. Our building code can withstand a Category 4 tropical cyclone.”
The comments were made during a candid exchange with Fetuʻu ʻEsiafi, who raised direct concerns about construction oversight, systemic complacency, and unresolved allegations of nepotism in past multi-million-dollar projects overseen by the Ministry of Infrastructure.
“The consequences of corruption are real,” the Prime Minister admitted. “It won’t be easy, but we must clean up.”
Lord Fakafanua agreed that a culture of complacency and corruption must be dismantled to restore trust in public safety and accountability.
“Very true, and there is still so much work to be done,” he affirmed in response to calls for systemic change.
The Prime Minister acknowledged the critical role of investigative journalism in holding institutions accountable and in exposing practices that endanger public welfare.
As investigations into the collapse continue, the exchange has amplified national conversations about leadership, accountability, and the urgent need to enforce building and safety standards not merely on paper, but in practice.
