Port Vila

Port Vila call to phase out fossil fuels

A Pacific minister's climate conference was attended by seven nations over three days in Vanuatu last week - only days after back-to-back category four cyclones.

The conference resulted in six countries signing the Port Vila call for a just transition to a fossil fuel free Pacific.

The signatories - Tonga, Fiji, Niue, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu and Vanuatu - acknowledged the cyclones as the latest example of "fossil fuel-induced loss and damage" in the region.

New route to Port Vila from Brisbane

The airline told the Daily Post there will be up to five flights a week.

Virgin Australia had previously been servicing Port Vila from Brisbane five times a week but stopped due to covid-19 border restrictions.

     

Crime on the rise in Port Vila

On Wednesday 25 January 2023, Police in Port Vila arrested a boy from Fresh water who broke into the Ta Tacos Restaurant in George Pompidu area.

Police are advising and appealing to the general public to take extra precautions to look after their properties.

According to Police, it's important to strengthen the neighbourhood watch programme.

The neighborhood watch programme has been introduced within some of the communities.

Vanuatu cops arrest alleged forger

The issue of fake police documents was first detected by police in November last year, and led to a search of the offices of a registered Recognised Seasonal Employer agent in Port Vila.

Police says about 100 ni-Vanuatu who were sent abroad for work had been issued with the fake police documents.

It is not known how the suspect accessed the clearance documents, and other agents are also implicated.

     

Vanuatu minister orders reinstatement of councilors

The Daily Post reports the minister's order follows the suspensions of former Mayor Eric Festa, Marie Louise Milne and Albert Sandy Daniel.

Council clerk Peter Sakita said there was a motion to remove mayor Kiel for apparently not having a budget, but the minister called this petty and ordered the mayor to re-instate the trio.

     

Virgin Australia to resume Port Vila route

A statement confirmed that the airline will resume direct services from Brisbane to Port Vila, starting on 10 March 2023, with up to five flights a week.

“The airline will only be connecting Port Vila and Brisbane, with connections available from Sydney as well as other domestic Australian markets via Brisbane.”

“The airline had been servicing Port Vila from Brisbane 5 times a week but stopped since Covid-19 border restrictions.”

Vanuatu reopened its borders to fully-vaccinated international travellers from 1 July, 2022 with no quarantine or arrival caps.

Sixty-seven contest Port Vila municipal elections

67 people are contesting the 17 seats on the council, including 22 women.

Political parties are now campaigning around the city.

Over 50,000 people are registered to vote in the local government poll, which is this Thursday.

     

Vanuatu chiefs call for tougher action on people breaking the law

The chair of Efate's Vaturisu Council of Chiefs, Semion Poilapa, who is from Efate's largest village, Mele, made the call after media reports about the level of criminality in Port Vila.

Chief Poilapa said chiefs could "deport" all their criminals back to their islands of origin, especially at the time Vanuatu is preparing to lift the covid lockdown on July 1st.

Vaturisu chiefs have long been concerned with killings in Port Vila and the wider Efate Island.

Bread shortage in Port Vila

The main importers have told the Daily Post that the delay in of the availability of flour in Vanuatu is because of Russia's war against Ukraine.

Tonnes of flour has finally arrived in Port Vila but is being delayed by a customs quarantine at the Main Wharf.

     

Work resumes on South Paray Wharf

 

The Government has awarded the contract to Fletcher Organisation (Vanuatu) Limited to redesign the facility. Once completed, the facility will provide simultaneous berthing for up to 4 cargo vessels and 4 landing crafts. The onshore facilities will include a public shelter and toilets for passengers, and laydown areas for cargo handling.

The award follows a rigorous procurement process that commenced in July 2021, concluding in September 2021. Evaluation of the bids proceeded straight after the bid opening in September.