Ships captains can now breathe easy when they approach Efate knowing that Pango Point now has the JK Kalotrip Lighthouse to guide them safely into Port Vila Harbour.
Minister for Public Utilities and Ports and Marine, Esmon Sae, and Chief of Pango Village, Chief Rolland Maseiman have jointly opened the biggest as well as tallest lighthouse in the country at Pango Point yesterday.
While the lighthouse can be seen 24 miles away, reliable sources say on a clear night, the beam can be seen by captains from as far away just after leaving Erromango island.
In his welcome address, Chief Maseiman accepted the custom ceremony the minister offered to the chief and landowner of the area to say thank you to them for allowing the site for the lighthouse.
“This lighthouse is the third lighthouse after two earlier ones which were built during the colonial period were destroyed by cyclones,” Chief Maseiman said.
He also thanked the custom landowner for his generosity to allow the site for use in the national and international interests.
The late Jack Kalotiti Kalotrip was the custom landowner who was first declared as the rightful custom landowner in 1950 and again in 1989 after independence. “As the Chief of Pango and Pango Point is the gateway to enter Port Vila Harbour and Efate, it is also fair to say that I am the landowner as the area falls under my jurisdiction,” he said.
“The original landowner has since passed on but his family lives on and I welcome and congratulate his three sons, Pastor Barry Kalotiti, (Lawyer) Bruce Kalotiti and Dr Michel Kalotiti who have graced us with their presence today.”
The Minister said his ministry has spent Vt14 million on the installations of four lighthouses namely at Pango Point, Million Dollar Point on Santo, Uripiv Island on Malekula, Craig Cove on Ambrym, Loukatai on Tanna and Aore East on Aore.
He confirmed land dispute and land lease processes as the main challenges faced by his ministry when it comes to finding suitable sites for setting up lighthouses. “Even Pango Point also had its issues but I am glad to announce that today we are witnessing its completion,” the Minister said.
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