TUESDAY 18th February, 2025 – Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Jotham Napat is moving straight ahead with the Government’s recovery efforts – calling the first ever meeting with the private sector early this week – together with his Deputy and Finance Minister Hon. Johnny Koanapo and all key ministers in order to hear them out, and get to grips with key issues facing the private sector, particularly within the Central Business District (CBD), following the December 17th 2024 quake.

    There is no denying that the private sector plays a significantly important role in the national economy by supporting the government through taxes, but also providing employment to citizens – and for Port Vila, contributes to its overall wellbeing, ambience and livability.

    As a result of the earthquake that violently shook the Vanuatu Capital, close to 1000 jobs were impacted. Such a high figure of job losses does not bode well for the new Government which clearly does not want to lose any more time with recovery.

    A key message of Monday’s meeting with the private sector was to ensure that there is collaboration and cooperation between both the Government and the private sector and that everyone was working in unison together, to help alleviate the impacts and ultimately restore the Central Business District. But a major hindrance is directly linked to damaged buildings.

    Prime Minister Napat made it clear he wants the CBD to open sooner rather than later. As such demolition and removal of debris should not keep the rest of the business owners waiting. However, he said this could be done in a “win-win situation” so that if an owner feels they cannot afford the demolition costs, then they need to speak to the Government.

    The Government can then step in to finance the demolition costs. And if need be, it may even proceed to forfeit a lease as guarantee until the business owner finds money to pay back demolition costs to get their lease back.

    The gathering of some 300 or so business owners who attended expressed deep appreciation to the Government for calling the meeting – especially when they felt they were being left out in the Government’s overall decision-making process.

    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.

    China has offered to donate six boats to the Government of Vanuatu, one to each Province of Vanuatu. China has stepped in following concerns raised at the Development Partners Meeting held last week in Port Vila, about the challenges of connectivity posed by the country’s scattered islands geography.

    Some islands of Vanuatu scarcely have access to shipping services per year and some islands do not have airports.  These boats will be based in the Provinces to serve the people’s need. Ministers and government officials can also use these boats when visiting the provinces. The boats are 15 metres long and 4.3 metres wide, with a speed of 35 knots.

    The boats are yet to be built. China will hold discussions with the marine authorities and the Department of local Authorities to ensure that the engines are robust and that the boats are durable and are suited to the Vanuatu seas. Vanuatu has learnt its lesson with two ships previously donated by China: the Southern Star and Northern Star, which were designed to sail on the river in China.

    These ships deteriorated very quickly after sailing the Vanuatu seas.  The relevant departments will prepare a COM paper on how the boats will be managed upon their arrival in the country.

     

    The president of Tafea province, Moses Misi presented to the Hon. Prime Minister Chalort Salwai four petition when PM made his first official visit to Tanna Island.

    Tafea province requested for an international wharf, an upgrade and extension to the White Grass aiport to receive international flights, a new hydropower to be built and an upgrade to the Lenakel Hospital.

    The demand for these petition came following the economic activities of Tafea province and the demand and pressure by the services and products provided by the provincial government and the private sector. It is an indication that Tafea is prepared to meet the imported goods directly to Tafea province.

    Tafea province president stated that his province has a very powerful purchasing power. The petition was placed in a local basket by the president of the Nikoletan council of chiefs, Chief Peter Marcel and was handed over to the Hon. Prime Minister on Monday 11th March 2024.

    Prime Minister, Hon. Charlot Salwai has began negotiations to improve Vanuatu’s air transport following the ongoing hiccups with our national airline. Back in the 11th legislature when Hon. Salwai was Prime Minister, there has been negotiations for a new A200 Airbus for Air Vanuatu, but this was followed by a Commission of Inquiry launched and was reported that a country like Vanuatu was not capable to accommodate such aircraft.

    This was later discovered that most of the findings of the Commission of Inquiry was not true given the fact that Australia and Papua New Guinee were able to accommodate such aircrafts. The A200 aircraft has already made landing at Port Vila international airport in the past.

    The Airbus representative has met with the Hon. Prime Minister last week along with the French ambassador in Vanuatu.

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