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.