Preparations are well underway in Hog Harbour village, East Santo for the hosting of the Vanua’aku Pati congress next month
Pati representatives have confirmed the congress is scheduled to take place from September 4-7, 2016.
Vanua’aku Pati is currently without a president following the passing away of late Edward Nipake Natapei over year ago. Acting President, Joe Natuman, who is also Minister for Trade and Tourism, will instead officiate the opening.
According to VP constitution, election of the party executive takes place after every four years, and in this case, the term of the current executives lapse in 2018.
Participants will also have the opportunity to listen to reports from the party’s national executive on the progress and challenges of the party.
The chairmen of the regional committees will also deliver their reports on the progress and positive developments of the party in their respective areas and islands.
Vanua’aku Pati, could be translated “Our Land Pati”. The Hog Harbour congress will discuss whether the current government policy on land still conforms to its original context.
The congress is also expected to herald a national call under what it termed “The Vanua’aku Kambak Policy” – a call for the regrouping of its breakaway political groups. This term was spelled out last week on 17 August at the Independence Garden when VP celebrated its 45th year of establishment with a tree planting and the redecoration of the plague laid in 1990 at the Independence Garden.
The 45 years commemoration also culminated with a special retreat for party leaders and members of parliament to reassess the party’s challenges, threats, opportunities and plans for regrowing VP and look to making certain recommendations to the upcoming congress next month.
VP says it is on the road to issuing a national call to all its supporters nationwide which will echo the message of unity and hope for a more coordinated national leadership in the years ahead.