Vanuatu

URA conducts electricity billing awareness in Northwest Efate

The CEO Paul Kaun intends for these sessions to be conducted by the URA team throughout all of the country especially in areas where there is on-grid electricity demanded by consumers and sold at a price by electricity operators in concession areas, mini and micro-grid areas, community areas including potential areas which are likely to have electricity network grids established.

On Monday, 29 May, the URA team visited Mangaliliu, Napko Farea Fatenleng and Siviri Community.

OFC President commends Vanuatu for success of OFC meet

 “Despite the fact that we have been stricken by two category 4 cyclones two months ago, you have turned what available resources we have in Luganville, to hosting yet another successful OFC programme”, said Maltock, who is also President of VFF.

He acknowledged the hard work of all members of the Local Organising Committee, as well as other stakeholders, including government and the local business community.

Vanuatu successfully hosted the 2023 OFC Champions League from 14 to 27 May.

 

Port Vila Main Wharf ready for cruise ship operations

The Department of Tourism (D0T) said the seafront will no longer be used as the temporary cruise solution.

“We are progressively returning to the Port-Vila Main Wharf, as agreed between the Vanuatu Government through the Department of Ports & Harbour, and Carnival Australia this month”.

Vanuatu delegates meet WHO Director General

The meeting highlighted Vanuatu’s achievement and support from WHO and push back of Public Health programmes due to Covid-19 and twin cyclones Kevin and Judy in March 2023.

Acting Director General of the Ministry of Health, Judith Melsul highlighted that the ministry played a significant role in advocating for the more than 50 percent increase in excise tax on tobacco products, and for the total prohibition of heated tobacco products, electronic nicotine, and non-nicotine products in Vanuatu.

Vanuatu receives award for exceptional contributions to tobacco control

Vanuatu was selected as one of the five winners from the Western Pacific Region.

This is the second time that the Ministry of Health has received the award.

The ministry played a crucial role in advocating the increase of over 50 per cent in excise taxes on tobacco products, along with the prohibition of heated tobacco products, electronic nicotine and non-nicotine delivery systems and acting even before products were widely available in the country.

The ministry recognised the potential threats they posed to young people and tobacco control efforts.

Vanuatu star striker Kency Tangis unavailable for India tournament

VFF Technical Director and Team Manager Peter Takaro said Kency is unavailable due to work commitments.

“Kency Tangis told me that following his long hours of work, he did not think he would be able to join the team training schedules; Even when I told him that the training started at 6pm, Kency maintained he could not make it”, Takaro said.

National Coach Etienne Mermer said clubs have been informed to release players for national duties.

“I am ready to work with those players who show up on the field for training”, Mermer said.

Vanuatu PM Ishmael Kalsakau terminates his deputy PM

The sacking on Friday came just a week after a motion of no confidence was filed by the opposition leader Bob Loughman who eventually withdrew it in parliament because of a lack of numbers to support it.

Kilman, who is the president of the People's Progressive Party, has been replaced as deputy prime minister by Jotham Napat of the Vanuatu Leaders' Party who is the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

The agriculture portfolio has yet to be reassigned.

Kilman was an instrumental figure in negotiations to form prime minister Ishmael Kalsakau's coalition government.

East Epi Submarine volcano in minor unrest state

The Vanuatu Meteorology and Geohazards Department (VMGD) said, “Latest data analyses from the monitoring system shows that the volcano seismicity is sustained but there is no manifestation at the surface. The phreatic explosions propelling ash some 100m into the atmosphere only lasted a few hours on the 1st of February 2023.”

The latest observations confirmed no steam above the water surface.

“With the ongoing volcano activity and its associated hazards, the danger zone remains at 2Km radius from the active submarine vent.

Vanuatu health officials conduct quit smoking training

The training was done by the Ministry of Health with the assistance of World Health Organisation to local health staff.

A statement said, “This programme will be implemented in all six provinces to assist and counsel smokers to quit and improve on their health status.”

Concerns in Vanuatu over minimum wage hike

From June 1, the minimum wage in Vanuatu will be increased by 36 percent from $US1.82 (VT220) an hour to $US2.48 (VT300).

"Employers must not pay their workers less than this rate for hours worked," the Vanuatu Daily Post reported.

"The minimum wage was increased from VT200 per hour to VT220 per hour in 2019. Under law, minimum wage rate should be reviewed once every two years based on economic factors. The last one was four years ago."