The Hon Prime Minister, Charlot Salwai, raised concerns when he met the Bred Bank International Director Mr Regis Barriac over the Bank's extensive bureaucracy, demanding rules and processes now causing reluctance by the Vanuatu population in opening Bank accounts and preventing grassroots, in particular farmers, from investing and acquiring loans from the Bank.

    The Hon Prime Minister further shared with the Director Vanuatu's Blacklist issue and sought advice and assistance in getting the Government cleared. The Hon Prime Minister also seized the opportunity to query on the offer made by the Bank to fund Vanuatu's Diplomatic presence in Paris.

    The Director in response confirmed BRED's commitment to engage with AFD and the Bank of France to assist the Reserve Bank and the Government in rescuing Vanuatu from the Blacklist Status. Bred has done the same in Djibouti and confirmed it's commitment to assist Vanuatu in this regard given Vanuatu is BRED's first international country of investment followed by Djibouti.

    The BRED Director further confirmed that he will undertake a mission to Port Vila to further explore the issues raised by the Hon Prime Minister and have the bureaucracy issues resolved to ensure BRED Bank remains Vanuatu's first bank of choice.

    BRED Bank's commitment is also in line with President Macron's vision to strengthen France's presence in the arc of the Pacific through the reopening of the AFD presence in the Pacific Island Countries.

    The Prime Ministers of Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea recently met at Tokyo Japan and convened to discuss their shared interests and mutual concerns, focusing on the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) and the Pacific Islands Forum. Key topics included the air service agreement and the critical issue of tuna fisheries processing, which is vital for both nations.

    Additionally, the PNG Prime Minister extended an invitation to his Vanuatu counterpart to collaborate on hotel development projects through PNG's superannuation funds, aiming to strengthen economic ties and enhance regional cooperation.

     

    Image supply: Dept of PM & NEC Media

    As of October 2024, the Prime Minister Hon. Charlot Salwai Tabimasmas celebrated 1 year in office, since been voted in on October 2023. The Prime Minister acknowledged his coalition partners and fellow ministers and MPs in entrusting him and his government thus reaching a year in office.

    Prime Minister reflected on accomplishments such as successfully completing the national referendum and also challenges faced such as the ongoing political instability faced in the country. He noted efforts to boost political stability, upgrade infrastructure, and tackle climate change, a key issue for Vanuatu.

    Additionally, he stressed the need for national unity and addressing social concerns like education and healthcare. The one-year anniversary also allowed him to outline future goals and reaffirm the government's dedication to sustainable development and resilience against external challenges.

    The opening of the Cooks Barrack on Thursday 19th September 2024, officially Opened by the Deputy Prime Minister of Australia who is also Minister of Defense Hon. Richard Marles and our Prime Minister Hon. Charlot Salwai Tabimasmas, marks a significant milestone for Vanuatu Mobile force and Vanuatu Police force.
     
    This great milestone reflects the strong bilateral relations between Australia and Vanuatu, underscoring Australia's commitment to supporting regional security and stability in the Pacific. The new facility is expected to boost the training and operational readiness of Vanuatu's Mobile Force, enabling improved response to domestic and regional challenges.
     
    The ceremony included traditional customs ceremony in honoring the land custodians, reflecting the deep cultural heritage of Vanuatu while also emphasizing the collaborative relationship between Australia and Vanuatu in matters of security and community welfare.
     
    Both leaders emphasized collaboration, shared values, and the importance of a secure environment for the prosperity of the Pacific Islands. The Opening ceremony was also attended by Deputy Prime Minister Hon. Matai Seremaiah, Minister of Internal Affairs Hon. Andrew Napwat, Minister of Finance Hon. Johnny Koanapo, Minister of Lands Hon. Rick Mahe, Minister of Youth & Sports Hon. Tomker Netvunei, Minister of Agriculture Hon. Xavier Harry Iauko, DG of Prime Minister's Office, DG Internal Affairs, Australian High Commissioner and members of the diplomatic core and families of force members.

    The Prime Minister (PM), Charlot Salwai, announced that the Council of Ministers (COM) in its urgent meeting on Monday 16th September 2024 has approved for the government to settle the teachers’ claims totalling VT4,252, 821,101.

    He wants the Vanuatu Teachers Union (VTU) and its members to understand that while the government cannot address all claims this year due to the budget being already passed, it will still address them in future budgets.

    He urged them to resume duties immediately.

    In its second decision, COM tasked the Ministry of Finance and Economic Management (MoFEM) and the Ministry of Education and Training (MoET) to revise the payment plan for the claims and present it to the next COM.

    The teachers’ claims include unpaid severance, housing, child and remote allowances, death in service entitlement, reimbursement of course fees, payment for those performing duties as principals, deputy principals and those performing above their designated grades.

    PM Salwai announced that the COM agreed for the Education Minister to set up a working committee consisting of the Vanuatu Teachers Union (VTU), Teaching Service Commission (TSC), Department of Finance and MoET within six months to review each case individually and have them verified by the Office of the Attorney General before finalisation.

    He said the COM also agreed for the Teaching Service Commission Act and the Teaching Service Act be reviewed and presented to the next Parliament session, and to pursue immediate reform of the education system.

    The Head of the Government stressed that despite significant annual spending on education and support from development partners, reports indicate that literacy levels remain low compared to other countries.

    “Despite government’s efforts to provide access to education, many children are still not attending schools. The reform is important to identify the causes, such as whether it’s due to distance, not enough schools or lack of teachers,” he said.

    “There is another report indicating that students are still struggling with reading and writing at the secondary level after spending many years at the primary level. The reform will find out the reasons, whether it’s related to the curriculum or the quality of teachers. It is a serious concern when parent spend a lot in their children’s education.

    “Also, the results of last year’s exams were not so good, possibly due to the COVID-19 crisis or teachers not turn attending classes, but these some of the concerns affecting education. The reform will identify our failures and how to address them.”

    PM Salwai said education will remain a government priority, as it develops the country’s human resources.

     

    Source: Daily Post Vanuatu

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