Press Release

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 4^th 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.

A delegation from Agence de Development Francaise, AFD, made a courtesy call visit to the Prime Minister Hon. Charlot Salwai Tabimasmas and assured the Prime Minister of their return into the country. The AFD recently moved out of the country due to the ongoing instability faced and were based in French territory on New Caledonia. White grass airport Tanna, Lonorore Airport Pentecost and Longana airport Ambae, these were the projects of AFD in Vanuatu.

Similar to AUSAID or USAID. There were projects on Ambrym and Malekula also, but it was not possible due to land disputes. These were the projects that the French government is assisting Vanuatu in forms of grant. They assured the Prime Minister that a permanent office is to be established in the Country.