Page 12 - IB JAN 2019

Political Brief - PACIFIC

to move those affected out of Ambrym.
Senior NDMO official Peter Korisa said the volcanic erup-
tions had caused widespread damage on the island. In north
Ambrym, homes, crops and livestock were severely affected.
Water sources have been contaminated which has caused a
shortage in clean, drinkable water.
“The main worry at the moment is ash fall,” Neil Netaf told
the Daily Post newspaper of Vanuatu. He is the Secretary
General of Malampa Provincial Government Council (MPGC).
“Report received from North Ambrym Area Council revealed
that volcanic ash has damaged food crops and water sources
are contaminated. People in southeast Ambrym are reporting
continuous tremors.”
Home owners have also reported cracks in their houses as
well as on the ground. Roads, water sources and gardens have
Cracks in a building on Ambrym Island Photo: YUMI also been damaged.
The people from Pamal, the most affected area in southeast
Another island hit by Ambrym have been relocated to Ulei School. They are accom-
modated in the Presbyterian Church building, dormitories, tents
volcano eruptions and tarpaulins in the school football field.
A fault line was also visible beside the runway on Ulei Air-
strip. Mobile telephone coverage in both Telekom Vanuatu and
Digicel were also affected.
PORT VILA, Vanuatu – Ambrym islanders who have been af- Since the first eruption, Vanuatu’s Council of Ministers had
fected by volcanic eruptions have been directed by emergency announced that VUV100 million (US$876,859) would be set
officials to relocate to safer parts of the island. aside to assist the people of Ambrym. This money would come
Since the volcano on the island erupted last December, from the Ambae Emergency Fund, another island north of
islanders have continued to report of continuing tremors and Ambrym that has also been devastated by volcanic eruptions.
ash eruptions. Damage to some homes and food gardens have Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ralph Regenvanu, said: “Up to
also been reported. VUV100 million already allocated towards Ambae recovery is
Fresh eruptions in early January prompted authorities to to be made available for Ambrym. The National Disaster Man-
direct nearly 700 islanders to move to safer parts of Ambrym, agement Office (NDMO) can use up to this amount to meet the
which lies north of Efate, where the capital Port Vila is. immediate needs of the affected people on Ambrym,” he said.
Vanuatu’s national disaster management office (NDMO) had Immediate needs that have been identified included water,
told Radio New Zealand International that there was no plan food and shelter.

Vanuatu eyes ‘cross floor’ ban he said. Another significant cost cutting measure targeted was
PORT Vila, Vanuatu - An act to regulate political parties, affili- the hire of private motor vehicles. Prime Minister Hou said a
ation of independent members of Parliament to political parties proper management procedure was introduced to control costs.
and related matters has been temporarily put on hold by Vanuatu He added that overseas medical treatment and travel were also
Prime Minister Charlot Salwai. This has been done to allow Mem- a huge burden on taxpayers.
bers of Parliament take a copy of the bill to their constituencies
for consultations. Prime Minister Salwai explained to Members France supports meteorology
of Parliament that the consultation with the people was the way APIA, Samoa - The Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environ-
forward for the new bill. Once this was completed, then the next ment Programme (SPREP) and Meteo-France have signed a
step would be the passing of the Bill by Parliament. It came as memorandum of understanding aimed at enhancing meteo-
Prime Minister Salwai defeated another motion of no confidence rological services in the region. “The signing of this MOU is a
against his leadership just before Christmas last year. The motion great opportunity for the Pacific Meteorological Services to work
got defeated 36 votes to 13. It was the second motion against in collaboration with Meteo-France, through SPREP in order to
Salwai’s Government in one month. strengthen and sustain development and delivery of weather ser-
vices, observations, climate science and services knowledge and
We’ve reigned in costs – PM Hou capacity in the Pacific,” said Kosi Latu, SPREP director general. B
HONIARA, Solomon Islands - Prime Minister Rick Hou says his
government has been able to stabilise the country’s fiscal situ- “Ice’ use is widespread
ation during its tenure in office. Hou assumed leadership late NUKU’ALOFA, Tonga - Government and community leaders are
2017 after his predecessor Manasseh Sogavare was ousted in a grappling with the rising cases of methamphetamine use in Tonga.
no-confidence vote. Speaking in parliament before its dissolution The director of the Women and Children Crisis Centre in Tonga
as MPs prepare for general elections, Hou said when he came into ‘Ofa Guttenbeil-Likiliki said her office has seen a leap in meth-
power one of his first priorities was to stabilise public finances. related suicides and numerous domestic violence cases involving
“My aim was to try and plug the holes in the government coffers,” users have occurred. Children were also becoming addicted to
he said. “These areas include mobile phone policy after I found ‘ice,’ she said. “We know, first-hand, on the ground, through
out that the telephone bills had been a major over expenditure,” cases that come to the centre, that this is a growing issue and it

12 Islands Business, January 2019