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Prime Minister, Hon. Alatoi Ishmael Kalsakau met today 18th February 2023 with Mr. Steven F. UDVAR’HAZY, the Executive Chairman for AIR LEASE CORPORATION. During their discussion, he has assured the Honorable Prime Minister that between April and June this year, the national Airline Air Vanuatu is expected to include in its fleet an extra Boeing and has confirm 2 new super Jets for the same period in 2024 to replace the current Boeings.
Prime Minista i anaonsem 100 day plan blong hem tete February 9 2023 hemia long national mo provincial level.
Ol eria blong prioriti hemi includum extention blong ol rod, ol health fasiliti, infrastructure, public sector reform, inkris long climate change fund, Air Vanuatu reform mo tu citizenship program long kaontri.
Government national priorities, provincial priorities mo priorities blong ol constituencies hem i wan caucus led policy drive.
From se ol priorities ia hem i blong 4 yrs mo i gat time line blong each and every projects ia, caucus blong government nau bai i drivem blong make sure se ol projects ia i delivered on time.
By VBTC
The Department of Strategic Policy, Planning & Aid Coordination (DSPPAC) Unit under the Prime Minister’s Office, signed a Partnership Agreement on 27th January 2023 with the Vanuatu Skills Partnership (VSP) for the implementation of the TC Harold recovery initiative across Sanma, Malampa and Penama. These provinces were significantly affected by the Category 5 cyclone in 2020 and the Government of Vanuatu received additional grant funding from the Government of Australia to respond to the crisis.
This event formalises the strong collaboration between the two organisations to work towards the shared goal of an effective, decentralised, and inclusive skills system that supports a fair, prosperous, and sustainable Vanuatu. The agreement has a specific focus on the development of ni-Vanuatu small business and employment across a range of sectors through skills development and market access activities.
Director of DSPPAC, John Ezra, said that since VSP, through the Ministry of Education and Training Skills Centres, is well established in all the provinces, this collaboration will enable the Government of Vanuatu to successfully deliver on its commitment to economic recovery following the disaster and the achievement of the goals of the 2030 People’s Plan.
“I believe this partnership will continue to deliver results. We will continue to work together to ensure all ni-Vanuatu have the necessary skills to help them advance in life.”
VSP’s Director, Fremden Yanhambath, said that through the generous financial assistance from the Australian Government, the Partnership is well positioned to scale up its work in collaboration with DSPPAC to support the priority needs of the Government of Vanuatu - in key recovery areas of agribusiness, construction, tourism recovery and local training provider strengthening.
“We will continue to strengthen our partnership with DSSPAC to address priority needs and maximise economic growth opportunities. We will listen and seek your guidance on the implementation of this recovery strategy and, most importantly, the National Sustainable Development Plan (NSDP), so that we can achieve tangible results and continue to build on them.”
VSP recently held its annual strategic planning held at Le Life, and plans for this year are already looking busy to serve the population of Vanuatu across all provinces.
The total value for the implementation of the TC Harold recovery initiative is Vt160, 000,000, and is expected to be completed by 2025.
Prime Minister Hon Alatoi Ishmael Kalsakau Maau'koro called the Director General Mr Leonard Louma in to his office for a quick update on Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG). He made the call as new MSG Chairman following his election as Prime Minister on the 4th of November, 2022 as Prime Minister.
He told DG Louma that MSG need to be more vocal on issues affecting our region and we must not lose sight of the fact that we are a strategic bloc to be reckon withs because we have a huge land mass, population and natural resources. Therefore, we need to be more focal and energize towards ensuring that the region gets as much attention as it can, the PM stressed. PM also raised a point that any future employment with in the MSG we must first look with in our region if we have people with required skills set. If Melanesian region does not have those skill sets for any upcoming job then we can look beyond our region, the new Chairman reiterated.
Fiji now has a new Prime Minister and we need to start talking. There are issues with Kiribati that made me started thinking we should be speaking out more as Melanesians so that no one feels isolated and vulnerable. Now that we have a new Prime Minister in Fiji, we need to start talking and engage more with each other.
As Chair of the MSG, my best interest would be to have a meeting with my colleagues just so we hold ourselves true to the aspirations of our founding father. I will be meeting with the Australian Prime Minister so it is crucial that we meet for a shell of kava at the MSG Secretariate or via virtual with other leaders.. I want to feel that Melanesian spirit of brotherhood before meeting with Australian Prime Minister now that Australian is a member of MSG under the PIF (Pacific Island Forum) said the new chairman. The more we continue talking with each other with an open mind, the MSG bloc will only grow stronger, according to the new Chairman.
Reconstruction of the Teouma Bridge on Efate will now officially begin following its ground-breaking ceremony yesterday on Friday 19th April 2024
Valued at over a billion, the project is expected to be completed by September 2025, through funds from the Japanese Government.
Prime Minister (PM) Charlot Salwai, Deputy PM and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Matai Seremiah, Minister of Infrastructure Marc Ati, Japanese Ambassador Okuda Naohisa, officers from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and Public Works Department witnessed the ground-breaking.
The project marks the commencement of the reconstruction of the bridge, which serves as the only access route for over 20,000 people residing in the greater eastern part of Efate, facilitating travel to and from Port Vila City.
In his remarks, PM Salwai said a CTI Engineering International Co., Ltd, a design and supervision consultant from Japan, was selected to provide consulting services for the project beginning in 2016. However, the project faced delays starting in 2020 as a result of COVID-19 pandemic restrictions and ongoing challenges with land acquisition, which were ultimately resolved in 2022.
In July 2023, a contract agreement was signed between the Contractor, Dai Nippon Construction with a value of JPY 2.060,000,000, which is equivalent to VT1.7 billion.
The scope of the work covers reconstruction of the bridge, improvement of approach road, construction of slope protection and Other miscellaneous works.
“The reconstruction of the bridge will improve connectivity infrastructure, providing safer and faster, all-weather access to rural areas for service delivery. This will stimulate economic growth by enabling rural activities to reach town markets and workplaces, as well as participate in the tourism industry,” said the PM.
“During the 2-year construction period, we anticipate that some percentage of the project cost will be injected into the local economy. Whenever feasible, we will utilise local materials like aggregate and cement. The project will create job opportunities, with some Ni-Vanuatu individuals expected to be employed directly or indirectly. These positions will priorities skills transfer and the enhancement of local capacity.”
He mentioned that the Project Consultant for Design and Supervision, CTI Engineering Co., Ltd. (Japan), along with the PWD team, will oversee the project, and should the bridge work not meet their standards, they will require it to be redone without any additional cost to the taxpayer.
Acting Secretary General of SHEFA Provincial Council, Liah John, said with the increasing population, more individuals are moving beyond peri-urban areas to rural regions of Efate, particularly the eastern part of the islands, seeking livelihoods opportunities, as there is ample land room for development.
“It is essential to have critical services available in this eastern part, such as hospitals, police stations, banking services, and supermarkets, which many must cross the Teouma Bridge to access in Port Vila City,” said John.
“The greater eastern part of Efate is one of the most fertile areas on the island, abundant with fruit trees, organic root crops, and vegetables, most of which feed the markets of Port Vila and its surrounding areas.
“Moreover, the greater eastern part of Efate boasts the best picnic spots with beautiful beaches, cool rivers, and waterfalls. Therefore, the bridge serves as the sole access route, making it possible for us to enjoy these resources in the eastern part of the island.
“There are several issues that commuters or users of the current bridge face, such as heavy river flows causing parts of the bridge to submerge, inadequate space for vehicles and pedestrians. I believe that the reconstruction of the bridge will address these issues and is crucial to ensuring safe access for everyone, fostering economic and social growth. It signifies the true and enduring partnership between Vanuatu and Japan,” she said.
Japanese Ambassador Noahisa said they are well aware that the bridge is an indispensable transportation link in the daily lives of the people.
According to him, the bridge was completely destroyed by a 7.2 magnitude earthquake in 2002. It was rebuilt in 2003 through Japan's Grant Aid Program
“However, the approach road to the bridge was damaged by flooding caused by Cyclone Pam in 2015. The bridge was temporarily repaired, but risked being destroyed or blocked if another severe flood were to occur.
"Understanding the anticipated risks posed by the existing conditions of the bridge, Japan had decided to rehabilitate and improve it at the request of the Vanuatu Government.
“In December 2019, the Exchange of Notes for this project was signed. However, we decided to provide additional financial support and the second Exchange of Notes was signed in March last year, to address project funding shortfalls caused by the soaring fuel and material prices, the COVID 19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine, as well as the impact of the recent depreciation of the Japanese currency. This additional financial support will lead to ensuring the implementation of this important project,” he stated.
By Doddy Morris
Daily Post Vanuatu