Archive - Sep 2011

Vanuatu is not only (twice) the happiest place in the world but according to the United Nation(UN)'s 2011 World Risk Report it is also the most dangerous, in terms of “very high exposure to natural disasters and high social vulnerability”.

If you want to avoid becoming a victim of a natural disaster or of climate change, you could do no better than to live in Malta or Qatar, according to a new United Nations study which says these two small countries are the safest in the world.

Malta is said to be the ‘safest place on earth’ with low exposure to natural disasters.

o Mi harem se the AFP have been reportedly training the Vanuatu Police in the use of surveillance equipment in recent months. Not wanting to miss an opportunity one of the Vanuatu police being trained in phone surveillance rang one of the people they were tailing and tried to arrange a meet to extort money off the person. Needless to say a bit of counter surveillance was undertaken and is being held for safe keeping - silip!

Dear Editor,

Something must have gone wrong or my brain must have grown old and crazy.

Out there in the wide world, people are talking about climate change.

Climate change is affecting our weather that means our food in the garden, our seashores being washed away and many more.

Responsible leaders are making efforts trying to put papers together so as to access global funds to help deal with the issue.

In Luganville our sea walls are being washed away.

Dear Editor,

A ruling of the Land claims of Namruar-ne-land at Black man town on Tanna has been postponed twice for some unknown reason.

The Court has promised 23rd August 2011 to 31st August 2011 then 05th September to 07th September 2011 but had failed without giving advanced notice of another date.

Food had been prepared by all claimants' parties for these occasions with huge expenses.

Now the parties are left in the dark on whether or not ruling will be made or as to when and why for the postponement or the delay.

A justice delayed is obviously injustice.

Dear Editor,

Mi wantem raisem concern blong mi regardem officer in charge long wan section long department blong health.

Taem mifala ol officers we i work under lo Health Department i nidim help blo yu, yu stap wea?

Yu never sit daon quite long office blong yu blong mekem work blong yu.

To be honest, what merit does this officer have that the department of health has no time in advertising the post for a more qualified person to apply?
Last time I checked, this officer is a registered nurse.

The Futuna Community at Seaside laid on a traditional welcoming ceremony on Saturday 17th September for the Free family and grandparents who travelled from Australia with school and sporting equipment for the ISIA School on Futuna Island.

Former Prime Minister and Leader of Opposition Mr Edward Natapei, Director of Education Mr John Niroa and representatives of the Sokomanu family were on hand to witness the ceremony.

The Vanuatu Society for People living with Disability (VSDP) has conveyed its grateful appreciation to the generous donation of a visiting kiwi couple Marilyn and Colin Withnall from Dunedin, New Zealand.

Director of VSDP Elison Bovu conveyed the appreciation of VSDP to the couple, who gave (without being asked to) Vt70,000 plus (NZ$929) and a pair of crutches
Director Bovu told them at this stage VSDP is looking at breaking down barriers, being inclusive and focusing on the issue of rights for people living with disability.

The Office in charge, Mr Jean Pierre Nirua and staff of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) Secretariat were honored and privileged to receive Mr Xanana Gusmao, Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, at the MSG Secretariat recently.

In Welcoming Prime Minister Gusmao, the Officer in charge of the MSG Secretariat thanked Prime Minister Gusmao and the Government of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste for the highly symbolic visit to the MSG headquarters.

Last week’s Mi Harem Se in Daily Post included a complaint about the large numbers of quad bikes with no number plates causing a loss of revenue to the government and claimed that ‘you don’t even need a driver’s licence to drive one around’.

Recent waterfront scuttlebutt indicates that yachties should note that engaging in any form of employment while staying in Vanuatu on a visitor’s visa is an offence under the country’s Immigration laws.

The Immigration Act 17 of 2010 Division 4 number 45 (1) says: ‘The holder of a visitor visa must not commence or continue (a) in any employment in Vanuatu; or (b) any commercial or business activities in Vanuatu.’