Government Officials and invited guests were in attendance as Future Fund ceremoniously broke ground yesterday at the new Bypass and Commercial Business District (CBD) development site.
The motorcade of attendees arrived around midday after driving through the site to the proposed bypass and CBD Site to the Ground Breaking Ceremony.
Greeted by ladies in custom dress, the invitees were welcomed with salu-salu and traditional shell strings as the guests took their seats to be welcomed by Master of Ceremonies Mr Sani Sokomanu of Mele.
After an opening Prayer by local Pastor David Johnathon, the Future Fund’s Managing Director John Tonner then addressed the crowd providing an overview of the entire Future Fund Project, covering the 6 Pillars of Economic Stimulating Investment which included the new Bypass and CBD Project with an Investment estimated to exceed VT31.5B over the next 7 years. The Project includes a dedicated Government Precinct with multi Ministry Conference and Meeting Facilities, Cafes, Restaurants, Shopping Malls, Schools and Residential and Commercial allocations. A bench mark initiative for not just Vanuatu but also the broader South Pacific Community.
The Hon. Prime Minister Jotham Napat was accompanied by the Hon. Deputy Prime Minister Johnny Koanapo and Hon. Ministries for Infrastructure, Internal Affairs, Lands, Agriculture, Health and Climate Change. Attending VIP’s also included 4 Members of Parliament, Representatives for Ifira, Chiefs and Custom Land Owners, Mr Walter Furret, Australian High Commission, VCCI, Local Business Houses, Prominent local Community Members and local media.
The Hon. Prime Minister – Hon. Jotham Napat spoke firmly to endorse the Future Fund contribution to economic stimulation and went to say the Future Fund is the only transparent partner in the CIIP Program that is in full compliance to the regulations and the only Investment that is being seen to be actually investing in Vanuatu’s economy, this Government is seeking ways of expanding its Investment into the Future Fund and empowering the Economy with game changing initiatives like this development.
The Hon. Minister for Infrastructure and Public Utilities, the Hon. Xavier Emmanuel Harry, detailed the strategic importance of the development and the bypass road, confirming the Government and the Future Fund have been in long standing dialogue to achieve this vital network expansion and there are additional road network initiatives that remain on the table.
Representatives for the Chief of Ifira Pakoa Kaltongga and Witeu Sope acknowleged their approval and gratitude for the development planning, paying homage to the Government and the Hon. Prime Minister for their leadership and positive Governance of Vanuatu since taking Office. Pakoa Kaltongga also announced an expansion of Ifira Investment Portfolio to include equity Investment into the Future Fund and it’s multi-sector portfolio covering numerous Provinces and sectors, stating that Business Leaders like Mr. Tonner and Mr. Agius need to be supported in their commercial endeavors to build our broader Economy.
The ground was then officially broken for the commencement of the eagerly awaited Bellevue-Switi bypass road. The bypass will serve as a much needed reduction of traffic congestion between major locations in Port Vila through the new CBD. The new Future Fund CBD roads will be constructed in concrete to meet the high use demands of the roads in Port Vila. The bypass project as a whole will provide much needed reprieve from the current traffic situation in Port Vila, an impact that will be felt by everyone in the Capital.
Minister of Lands, Hon. Tchamako Mahe, prior to the cake-cutting, briefly spoke on the Government plans for a new water catchment area and ensured the Government are being proactive about the water catchment needs for the town and support this development to proceed along side the water catchment relocation plans.
Other notable moments in the programme included both an opening and dedication prayer by Pastor David Johnathon, as well as customary gifts presented to the land owners and a ceremonial breaking of the ground performed by the Prime Minister, Government Ministers and Future Fund management.
Working closely with the Vanuatu Government, this landmark event is a milestone in Future Fund’s plans to bring a greener and more economically sustainable way of life to our beautiful country of Vanuatu – reducing traffic congestion, creating more stable infrastructure and planning for a better tomorrow.
For more information, see article by Daily Post:
Gov’t breaks ground for Bellevue-Switi bypass road | News | dailypost.vu
