Monday 10th March 2025 – Air Vanuatu’s operations under the new company AV3 – remains a key focus under the Government’s 100-days plan, to ensure passengers can continue to travel within the country.

    The Government fully understands the level of frustration customers of Air Vanuatu have. However, the Government calls for patience as it works its way through the current state of affairs to restore the airline within the next three months or so with a particular focus on the domestic service before considering the next steps.

    To update everyone, currently the shareholders are awaiting recommendations from the Board of Directors on proposals from two companies – both of which have proposals to partner with AV3. There is also an offer from Australia that is on the table involving Fiji Airways in a temporary six month arrangement. However, Prime Minister Jotham Napat recently told visiting Australian minister for International Development and Pacific Affairs Pat Conroy that the offer remains an option until all other options have been explored.

    In addition, Deputy Prime Minister Johnny Koanapo who is one of the shareholders, wants to give all the options due consideration before deciding the long-term future of the airline.

    All of these, amidst a liquidation process that is yet to be properly wrapped up by Ernest and Young.

    The Deputy Prime Minister says as soon as the liquidators have filed their final reports then the Government can release final payments of over Vt200 million.

    He says the shareholders are somewhat hamstrung by the liquidation process, which means the AV3 Board remains under temporary directorship of former deputy prime minister Matai Seremiah. It will remain so until a proper board of directors is recruited under the new Commercial Business Enterprise Act, which was passed in parliament last year.

    Under the new Act, all future board of directors must be advertised publicly and their appointment done on merit. It means anyone will be able to apply once advertised, a shift away from the former practice.

    The Deputy Prime Minister also says Air Vanuatu has been operating under an Articles of Association and the Companies Act, which were not robust enough. The government is adamant that with AV3 and Air Vanuatu operations coming under the new Act, Air Vanuatu should find its feet again and operate more as a proper commercial entity without politicians or anyone getting a foothold in its management – the key reason for the airline’s demise.

    As far as this Government is concerned, the airline is so vital to our connectivity and for the tourism industry. We are tackling so many issues but given enough time, the airline should be back up. The airline’s domestic service is being prioritized over the international service, which is why a billion vatu in the 2025 budget is ear-marked towards purchasing of two new Twin Otters, the Deputy Prime Minister has already declared publicly.

    Monday 04 March, 2025 – The Government launched yesterday its 100-days plan with a strong emphasis on efficiency within the government machinery, health, education and political reforms and improving service delivery through a range of measures – all of which are aimed at economic recovery, long-term growth and sustainability.

    The plan was promised exactly two weeks ago after the formation of the new government. It captures five key pillars covering all key sectors and represents the collective policy direction of the current Government and what they wish to accomplish in the next three months or so.

    “Our peoples deserve better. Not only that, those who pay their dues expect us to deliver, which is why we have announced a series of directions thus far in order to restore confidence in the public sector.

    “This is no time to be wasteful, given our status as the most vulnerable when it comes to natural disasters. We need to tighten the loopholes and stop the leakages. We cannot afford to be complacent,” says Prime Minister Napat.

    Following the launch Prime Minister Jotham Napat today also met all Directors and Director-Generals of each of the 13 Government ministries to share the plan with them and stress realignment of all activities so that they are all in sync with the Government’s 100-days policy directives.

    Prime Minister Napat had stressed during his inaugural statement that the Government he led would be ‘performance-based’. This goes for everyone from the ministers down to civil servants. He says anyone who does not perform as a public servant does not deserve to be in public office.

     

    The directives, if they will work, will require serious considerations and changing of the mindset within the public sector, state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and the country as a whole. It ensures the government machinery is working to meet expected demands, economic recovery and growth, finding new sources of revenue and growing the tourism industry, with an eye on improving connectivity throughout the islands.

    Concrete policy directives towards limiting the number of public holidays and addressing ministers’ privileges under the OSA (Official Salaries Act) are also in the works.

    In terms of the social sector, the Government is committed to delivering at the highest level possible which will mean investing in the country’s human resources and equipment and where specialized skills may be lacking. For health it will mean redirecting scholarships to ensure Vanuatu trains the right people to come in to better serve the country in the years ahead.

    On cost-cutting measures and fairness, there are plans to limit government vehicles and address other inequalities.

    Click here to download the 100 Day Plan

    Vanuatu PM Calls for Urgent Health Reforms After High-Level Medical Briefing

    Vanuatu PM Calls for Urgent Health Reforms After High-Level Medical Briefing

    MONDAY 03 March 2025 – The Government had an unprecedented discussion with the country’s top medical people and policy makers as of Friday 28th of February 2025 at Warwick Hotel in Port Vila.

    The briefing took place at Warwick Hotel and saw Prime Minister Jotham Napat and his deputy Johnny Koanapo join Health Minister John Still Tari where they actively listened through a three-hour briefing to try and better understand the state of affairs of the country’s health systems.

    Due to time limitation the briefing focused specifically on the operations at the Vila Central Hospital where the biggest bulk of Vanuatu’s health professionals are based.

    It was alarming in many areas of the medical field that Vanuatu still lags behind in its manpower capacity needs and there is an overwhelming need to do more in order to maintain health systems at decent levels. For this Prime Minister Napat gave directions for immediate attention to ensure Vanuatu continues to develop its key human resources and meet growing demands. It was noted that more should be done through the country’s education system to improve student performances especially in areas of science so that they can obtain minimum GPA requirements for entry into medical fields.

    The briefing was about the challenges, but more so about finding the best solutions and approaches to tackling issues hampering our health services.

    Prime Minister Napat says one of the best options would seem to be to create a separate commission, like all other commissions, so that it can adequately and efficiently address health issues.

    Amongst so many great ideas discussed were recommendations to revisit existing laws, such as the health practitioners Act, as well as working on models of Private Public Partnerships that makes the best use of resources and facilities already available in-country.

    “It is the first time for a prime minister (let alone a deputy prime minister) to take an active interest in the work that the doctors and nurses do,” remarked Dr. Sale Tamata Vurobaravu, who is also the President of the Medical Doctors Association.

    THURSDAY 27th February 2025 – Prime Minister Jotham Napat met Pat Conroy, Minister for International Development and the Pacific today where they discussed a range of bilateral issues ranging from economic recovery to trade, labour mobility and deepening of the two country’s relations by building a peaceful, stable and prosperous future for both countries.

    He expressed the Government’s deep appreciation for the additional funding of approximately Vt393million (or AUD5 million) announced by Minister Conroy towards Vanuatu’s recovery efforts. This additional money comes on top of what Australia has already provided so far.

    Hon. Conroy is the first visiting high-level dignitary to come to Vanuatu after the formation of the new government.

    The visit offers the opportunity for the establishment of rapport, renew relations, and discuss issues of mutual interest.

    Prime Minister Napat says Vanuatu looks forward to celebrating 45 years of diplomatic relations with Australia in 2025, acknowledging the cordial, strong and enduring bilateral relationship, based on shared values and interests.

    This is a relationship that is made stronger by a very broad range of links at government, business, and community levels, as enshrined by Australia’s new international development policy – focusing on respect, and building genuine partnership.

    Australia is Vanuatu’s largest bilateral aid donor and closest security partner. This relationship will be strengthened even further in the coming days.

     “In terms of disaster response Australia has been Vanuatu's primary humanitarian partner, due to its close proximity and through its commitment to support Vanuatu build its disaster resilience, response and recovery capabilities.

    WEDNESDAY 26th February, 2025 – United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio has written to congratulate Prime Minister Jotham Napat on his election as prime minister of the country.

    In his congratulatory note of 21st February, Mr. Rubio says he looks “forward to working closely with the new Government to advance the two country’s shared commitment to security, stability and prosperity.

    “The ties between our nations continue to grow and we are eager to strengthen our partnership – both bilaterally and in regional and global forums – building on the progress we’ve made since opening our Embassy in July 2024,” says Mr. Rubio.

    He adds, “As Vanuatu continues to recover from last year’s tragic earthquake, please know that the United States stands with you. I send my best wishes to you and the people of Vanuatu for continued strength, resilience and success in the years ahead.”

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