Vanuatu

Justice Mery Sey issued these directions Tuesday when the appellant and defendants to the case sat with their lawyers at the first conference since the case was referred to the Supreme Court.

Among the directives, Justice Sey warned the defendants, most of whom are MP and state ministers that they need to be present in the court room when the case is called.

The Supreme Court judge also conditioned the defendants not to travel abroad while the case is in court.

The Public Prosecution John William Timakata told the court the prosecution will produce 48 witnesses.

This is equivalent to some 64.1% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), a Post Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) report has revealed. Pam is one of the strongest cyclones ever recorded in the southwest Pacific and left a trail of destruction, displacing some 65,000 people, and damaging or destroying approximately 17,000 buildings and ruining agricultural crops across half the country.

The 35 observers were divided into two groups with one group doing sea time at the Solomon Islands National University (SINU) and the other group undertaking the Pacific Islands Regional Fisheries Observer Syllabus Programme.

A statement from government said each group did five weeks of intensive training before going for the second part which will take another five weeks.

Deputy Director Offshore, Edward Honiwala who officially opened the second part of the programme said the observers will spend another five weeks before completing the programme.

“You know that Vanuatu is not strictly Port Vila, we also have beautiful islands out there."

The Deputy Prime Minister made the remarks in his welcome address to Tok Tok 2015 buyers from Australia during breakfast at Grand Hotel, courtesy of Tok Tok Vanuatu historical sponsor, ANZ Bank Vanuatu and Vanuatu Tourism Office last week.

His timely remarks come on the heels of extensive media coverage of the Tanna Lodge fire during which 21 Australian tourists had to be evacuated from the southern island to Port Vila for safety reasons this week.

In a reserved judgment handed down Thursday last week by the Supreme Court, Justice Mary Sey entered judgment for Bohn who is trading as Western Pacific Marine for the unpaid sum of Vt14.5 million under a Deed of Settlement dated October 5, 2007 and Final Agreement dated October 9, 2007 together with interest.

The case originated from Civil Case No. 115 of 2000 between the two parties.

From facts provided by the court, Mr. Bohn and VMA entered into a contractual agreement on 31 May 1999 for the salvage of two derelict vessels, namely, MV Lih Peng and MV Laudorek.

“You know that Vanuatu is not strictly Port Vila, we also have beautiful islands out there."

The Deputy Prime Minister made the remarks in his welcome address to Tok Tok 2015 buyers from Australia during breakfast at Grand Hotel, courtesy of Tok Tok Vanuatu historical sponsor, ANZ Bank Vanuatu and Vanuatu Tourism Office yesterday.

His timely remarks come on the heels of extensive media coverage of the Tanna Lodge fire during which 21 Australian tourists had to be evacuated from the southern island to Port Vila for safety reasons this week.

The ministry of education says there is a serious shortage of funds, saying it doesn't have the money to pay for fuel for its vehicles, But it has plans to submit a supplementary budget to cover wages.

Arsen Firiam is the President of the Vanuatu Teacher's Union.

He says teachers are yet to be added to the ministry pay roll, while many older teachers who should have retired are waiting on their retirement payout.

The project is now underway at the Star Wharf site in Port Vila.

Speaking at the recent signing of documents for Loan Agreement Phase Two for the project with representatives of the Government of Japan which is financing the loan for the construction work at the Prime Minister’s Office, Kilman said he would continue to observe the implementation with interest.

“And I encourage all of us to put our efforts and hands together to ensure this project achieves its objectives.”

The Prime Minister stated that, “I am very pleased today to reveal that the United Nations and its ICT agency, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), have decided to honor Vanuatu with the UN/ITU ‘Award for ICTs in Sustainable Development.’

“This award was given for using ICTs to help achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.”

The Daily Post newspaper reports that the arrests came after police reinforcements were flown to Tanna from Port Vila earlier this week.

The paper reports the arsons at Tanna Lodge are thought to be linked to the killing of a young man on the island last month.

It is understood the suspect in the killing is now in police custody in Port Vila.

Earlier this week after the most recent arson attack the resort owner and 20 tourists were evacuated to Port Vila over fears for their safety.