Prime Minister Hon Alatoi Ishmael Kalsakau has officially launched the new company VANUEX LTD on 7^th February 2023, which will be conducting business/trade through Digital technology. He has pointed out that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) economic outlook is within the same level of Digital transformation.

Most country’s economy are moving towards Digital and Vanuatu is going in the same direction.

The announcement was made along side MP Jessy Luo, MP for Malekula Hon Anatole Hymak and Minister of Agriculture Hon Nako Natuman.

4 billion VT projects to be funded from Chinese funds that were never used. Prime Minister Hon Alatoi Ishmael Kalsakau Maau’koro has announced a total of 4 billion projects from the aid money that was never utilised by the previous government. The 2 billion for 2021 will be injected into road projects for Efate and Santo while a further 2 million for 2022 will be go towards the construction of a new school of nursing collage in Santo and up grading health facilities.

The Prime Minister made the announcement after signing off all documentations that were later dispatched to Chinese Embassy last week. When he came into office after his election as PM, he found out that 2 billion Chinese grand for 2021 and another 2 million for 2022 was never put to use. The Prime Minister Maau’koro said it is best to target only two islands and make an impact and move to other islands next. This does not mean the government has ignored other islands completely under this grand. We have 2023 and 2024 still to be utilised and the Public Works will still continue working on our roads.

PORT VILA, TUESDAY 15^th April, 2025 - A raft of amendments to the national Constitution is set to go before parliament at the end of this month 30th of April 2025. These were approved recently by the Council of Ministers.

The first amendment significant change to the Constitution would allow for exceptions to Article 5(i)(k) to cater for the creation of what would be known as Economic Development Zones. Article 5 (i)(k) states:

“equal treatment under the law or administrative action, except that no law shall be inconsistent with this sub-paragraph insofar as it makes provision for the special benefit, welfare, protection or advancement of females, children and young persons, members of under-privileged groups or inhabitants of less developed areas.”

 Under the proposed amendment, the exceptions would effectively provide for the establishment of new Economic Development Zones (EDZs), an initiative intended to encourage more private investments with a range of privileges within designated areas. Discussions over such an initiative are not new. The concept was first floated in the late 1990s, but only briefly.

This time, the Government is more optimistic that it can create such economic zones, with South Santo and the north of Efate already ear-marked as first in line for implementation. The new changes would further allow for reforms to certain laws and regulations to be adopted in the EDZs to enhance prospects for economic activities and ease of doing business. The Government anticipates that with the EDZs, it can create more opportunities for job creation and revenue generation through an expanded tax base.

The second amendment to be considered – also approved by COM this past week, is a new provision that would effectively recognize only two sexes in Vanuatu – one that is assigned at birth. The amendment is considered well in line with the visions of the founders who in their wisdom decided that Vanuatu as a sovereign country, would be founded on Melanesian values and Christian principles.

Thirdly, in the continuing efforts to ensure lasting stability and consistency in the policy making and implementation process – and following on from the strengthening of the political party systems through 17A and 17B, the Government also wants to provide for a 12-month grace period for any sitting prime minister.

In continuing the former government’s reform efforts, Prime Minister Jotham Napat who will introduce the amendments at the special sitting of parliament, wants parliamentary support for the amendment now, before taking it to the people through a second national referendum, in accordance with Article 86 of the Constitution.

The final amendment, will make voting at a referendum compulsory. Once the plebiscite is called, the Government intends to use the opportunity to see and assess if compulsory voting could be applied to all national elections.

SUNDAY 04^th April, 2025 – The Government has announced that no further public funds will be spent on patching roads within the Central Business District (CBD) until major rehabilitation works begin within the next three months. This decision comes as part of a larger infrastructure overhaul, supported by a generous grant of approximately VT 2 billion from the Government of the People’s Republic of China

The Ministry of Public Utilities (MIPU) is currently finalizing designs for this extensive road rehabilitation project. Once completed, MIPU will officially announce the schedule and scope of the works.  The CBD Road upgrades will include improved drainage systems, pedestrian walkways, road markings, and signage—essential components of a long-overdue transformation for the nation’s capital.

This announcement comes at a critical time, as demolition works progress and Port Vila undergoes a broader revitalization. With years of public frustration over deteriorating road conditions, particularly in the Port Vila area, the Government has acknowledged that repeated patching is no longer viable

The Government has been under some pressure from road users complaining about the current road conditions in and around the Port Vila areas.   The life span of all sealed roads in Port Vila is well overdue by about 15 years. A typical Double Bituminous Surface Treatment (DBST) lasts 7 years, or up to 10 years if well maintained. Beyond that, patching is ineffective. Full rehabilitation is the only sustainable solution, albeit costly.

Resealing 1km of expired tar-sealed road costs over VT 70 million, while full rehabilitation can exceed VT 150 million per km. With Port Vila comprising 80km of sealed roads and 100km of unsealed roads, the cost of fully restoring all roads is significant.

Prime Minister Jotham Napat emphasized the need for a long-term approach -
“I’ve spoken with the Minister for Public Utilities. We’ve done countless patching works over the years, spending large sums of money to repeat the same temporary fixes. That’s no longer acceptable. We must be smarter with our resource allocation.”  He added, “We understand the frustration of road users. The current weather conditions have worsened road conditions, but we urge the public to be patient. We are committed to fixing the roads in our CBD, and now is the right time.”

In addition to funds being provided by China, Papua New Guinea have also contributed Vt300 million to develop Kumul Highway with Australia through Vanuatu Australia Infrastructure for Development (VAI4D) VT 500 million. All of these funds are being channeled into improving the road conditions of Port Vila as the seat of Vanuatu’s Capital; and rightly deserves a complete makeover.

The following roads are being targeted by the China and PNG funding: CBD, Prime Minister’s vicinity areas, Joint Court, Independence Park and Au Bon Marche Nambatu areas including new bypass access roads as Government plan to reduce traffic congestions experienced in Port Vila.

The outskirts of Port Vila, including Freshwota, Malapoa and Nambatri areas are being funded by the national government through the Ministry of Public Utilities but prioritized due to funding availability.