On Tuesday, January 20, 2026, government officials gathered at the site of the proposed Port Vila By-Pass Road, a landmark project celebrated as a symbol of progress and a promising future for the capital.
Representatives participating in the walkabout included the Acting Director, Water Quality Officer & Policy Analyst from the Department of Water Resources; the Honorable Minister of Infrastructure and Public Works; officials from the Department of Strategic Policy, Planning and Aid Coordination; the Public Works Department; the Monitoring and Evaluation Manager; and Future Fund Director, John Tonner.
The proposed road, located in the Montmartre suburb, will extend from El-Manaro Road through to the Switi corridor. Funded through a visionary Future Fund Ltd initiative, the project aims to foster sustainable growth and strengthen connectivity for local communities.
The walkabout began at the starting point of the bypass road—a site marked by anticipation and careful planning. Officials traced the freshly mapped route, guided by strategic pinpoints identified during earlier consultations with urban planners and community stakeholders. Each pinpoint represented not only a physical location but also a milestone in community engagement and infrastructure foresight.
Discussions along the route emphasized several key benefits: improved access for emergency services, enhanced commercial logistics, and faster connections to the airport.
The walkabout also served as an on-site assessment of engineering standards, environmental impact mitigation measures, and alignment with broader regional development plans.
