Tonga Faces Fuel Shortages Ahead of Crucial Polling Day

Tonga is preparing for important elections on March 15, 2024, as residents face ongoing fuel shortages in the capital, Nuku’alofa. Long queues at petrol stations have become a common sight, with residents expressing frustration over the lack of reliable fuel supply. Silia Vailala and Lavelua Tui recently waited for two hours at a petrol station, sitting on a plastic mat to escape the heat. “This has been happening for the last four months,” Vailala stated, highlighting the ongoing issue.

Residents are particularly anxious as the government had announced that fuel supply ships were on their way, but uncertainty remains about when the pumps will be operational. Vailala noted that more vehicles continue to join the queue, driven by the hope that a tanker will arrive by 19:00 to refill the empty pumps. “We can’t do anything. We can’t function because we need fuel to get around,” she added, calling for more transparency from the government.

Fuel supply issues have garnered attention from the highest levels of government. On Monday, caretaker Prime Minister Dr Aisake ‘Eke held a press conference to address the crisis. He confirmed that emergency fuel supply ships were en route and that major suppliers Total Energies and Pacific Energy were collaborating to resolve distribution challenges.

The depth of the fuel crisis has been attributed to decisions made last year by Total Energies and Pacific Energy to upgrade their fuel storage facilities. This maintenance has significantly reduced fuel storage capacity, leaving Tonga unable to meet its demand. Delays have also been reported due to technical issues affecting supply ships. Paula Taufa, country manager of Pacific Energy, mentioned last week that their next shipment was postponed as a result of these complications.

Vailala believes that resolving the immediate fuel shortages is only part of the solution. She advocates for the government to explore options for reducing reliance on fuel altogether. “It’s such a small island, and there’s too many cars on the road,” she explained, suggesting that public transport could alleviate the pressure on fuel resources.

As the government seeks to address immediate challenges, discussions about long-term policy reforms are also underway. Policy experts are examining the effectiveness of Tonga’s constitutional framework following significant reforms in 2010. Malakai Kolo’amatagi, registrar of Tonga National University, recently published an opinion piece assessing the representation of women in parliament, calling for improvements in electoral rules to enhance democratic processes.

Concerns regarding the monarchy’s role in governance have also been raised. The appointment of Crown Prince Tupouto’a Ulukalala to oversee foreign affairs has sparked debate about accountability within the government. Critics, including former political advisor Lopeti Senituli, argue that this arrangement creates a two-tier system that complicates governance. “Is he accountable to the King and Privy Council or is he accountable… to the Prime Minister and Cabinet?” Senituli questioned, emphasizing the need for clarity in governance structures.

The upcoming elections will see Tongan representatives—including 17 people’s representatives and nine noble representatives—vote for the prime minister, a process separate from the general election. The Supervisor of Elections, Pita Vuki, indicated that results from the polling stations would be announced on the evening of March 15, following the close of voting.

As Tonga navigates these pressing issues, the hope remains that the government will respond effectively to both immediate fuel shortages and the need for broader policy reforms. The outcome of the elections could significantly influence the direction of these critical discussions, shaping the future of governance in the Kingdom.