Vanuatu minister accused of forcing authorisation of ship operation

Vanuatu's sports minister is accused of forcing the country's maritime regulator to authorise the operation of a ship he owns.

 The opposition said that ship was not seaworthy at the time.

Opposition leader Ishmael Kalsakau is calling for the minister, Simeon Seule, to be reprimanded.

Mr Seule told the Daily Post the ship does have deficiencies, but the maritime office has allowed it to be used commercially until repairs are carried out.

He said it was already booked into the slipway at Luganville for repairs to be done in May.