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 11^th 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 11^th 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.

Lida blong opposition mo memba blong palaman blong Port Vila, Ishmael Kalsakau hemi widroem tede morning motion blong no gat trust agensem Prime Minister, Charlot Salwai. Risen blong widro ia hemi from we opposition Ino gat sapot blong simple majority blong 26 MP blong hemi save autem Mr Salwai long position blong hem olsem Prime Minister.

Tede morning, igat 7 MP nomo oli stap long opposition side. Aut long 9 MP we oli saenem motion ia, Member blong palaman blong Pentecost, Blaise Sumptoh i bin absent mo MP blong Port Vila, Ulrich Sumptoh we hem tu hemi saenem motion, hemi ronway bagegen long opposition mo go back stap long gavman side.

Absolute majority naoia blong ol memba blong palaman naoia hemi 26 after we igat wan seat hemi vacant long Ambrym.

By Hilaire Bule