Prime Minister Charlot Salwai has called on all community leaders throughout Vanuatu to work together with their political leaders to convert the many challenges faced today into a positive change.
The head of the coalition government of the Republic of Vanuatu made the call after listing various challenges faced by the government and the people and his suggestions for solutions to overcome those challenges.
Amongst the list of assurances made in his 10-page speech, the prime minister said his government is committed to ensuring the continuation of all current development project and to embark on more projects to come in future. He acknowledged the achievements of past governments and promised fair sharing of project delivery to all islands from Torba in the north to Tafea islands in the south.
He said the 2016 theme for independence “Recovering the Nation Together for a New Awakening for the Republic of Vanuatu” is a reflection of a clear message for change anticipated by the people of Vanuatu by way of voting in young vibrant, educated members of parliament in this 11th Legislature.
“That is why you (young political leaders) have chosen to set aside political interest and with a consistent desire to serve under a leadership that transpires to moving developments of the nation forward”, he said.
And he called for solidarity at all levels of leadership from the national level, provincial, municipal, island communities and at the village level.
Prime Minister Charlot Salwai stood firm at the porch in the grandstand at the Independence Park, facing the colorful Vanuatu Police Force parade and the crowd who listened tentatively to all words he spoke, and with most holding a national flag.
He said the 36th anniversary message for solidarity is that Vanuatu must reach the stage to which to grow enough products to sustain itself before talking about “over production” of supplies for local and external markets. This means every individual in all levels of the society has a vital role in contributing to the national economy.
Prime Minister Salwai said independence is a permanent fight to acquire strong, dedicated workmanship and one with higher capacity to adopting a new context to face current and forthcoming challenges in a bid to win economic independence. “This also means that every individual must acquire patriotic spirit to work harder…..and consolidate our strength to maintain our freedom and sovereignty”. This will transpire to a more resilient and decisive architecture of our own destiny to live in unity, prosperity, equality and brotherhood”, he said in his national address.
He also invited non-government organizations, workers, political parties, customary, religious as well as administrative leaders, and stakeholders in the education sector to contribute fervently to promoting responsible citizenship that portrays a proud patriotic and resilient image which are the foundation of a strong independent, peaceful and unified nation.
“36 years of age is the maturity stage of life. While we take stock of our many successful developments we note that it comes with many challenges…But despite the challenges we are proud to be called citizens of Vanuatu as occasionally sung in our national anthem, “Yumi Yumi ol man blong Vanuatu”, he said.
He called on everyone to work together to take Vanuatu into a new direction for change.
The prime minister strong believes that the comforting strong solidarity and confidence shown by the people towards his leadership is reassurance of what Vanuatu could do towards prosperity.