Highlights of the career of former DPM Natuman

The Chairman of the Vanuatu Tourism Office (VTO) and senior official of the ruling Vanua’aku Pati, Avio Roberts, was called on last Friday to set the scene for the ceremony organized by the Director General, George Borugu and directors of the departments under the Ministry of Tourism, Trade, Industry and Cooperatives to see the changeover of the leadership of the Ministry and Deputy Prime Minister from MP Joe Natuman of Tanna to his fellow Tanna MP Bob Loughman.

Mr. Roberts said MP Natuman had a rich wealth of experience fitting of the important occasion for everyone who came to observed the leadership succession.

“It was important to witness the national leader hand over a baton to an aspiring leader rising to take over from him. It’s an occasion that’s important to observe because it does not happen all the time. It’s good to observe it so we can go spread its message everywhere.

“Thank you, DG, because through your leadership, the committee of the Ministry of Tourism and Trade organized a very fitting ceremony like this to mark such leadership changeover,” he added.

He gave this historical account of Mr. Natuman and his career:

Mr. Joe Iakuae Natuman is from Lounalapen village at the Blackman Town of Tanna. He’s the spokesman of the chief of the village, whose title is Iakuae. So, Joe is Iakuae Natuman. It means that when the chief organizes an event, Joe is the one who speaks on behalf of the chief. In events like tribal wars before, he would be the one who leads the people. So, this shows the caliber of Joe Natuman.

He began his schooling at Lenakel Primary School and from there he moved on to Malapoa College, British Secondary School at that time, and then he moved on to complete his university studies at the University of the South Pacific in Fiji, from where he gained a bachelor’s degree before returning home.

His first job after returning home was a Second Secretary in the Ministry in the Walter Lini-led Government of National Unity in 1979, before Independence in 1980. After a few years in the position of Second Secretary, he progressed on to the position of First Secretary under Prime Minister Walter Lini, the position he held for a number of years.

After that he returned to the USP where he served in the administration of the university. After a year or two, his people on Tanna requested him to return to contest the 1995 Parliamentary election. They voted him into Parliament and held the position to now, 23 years later, representing his people in the Parliament of the Republic of Vanuatu.

Last Monday, MP Natuman handed in his resignation from the position of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Trade, Industry and Cooperatives to the Prime Minister Charlot Salwai, who appointed fellow Tanna and Vanua’aku Pati MP Bob Loughman, his successor.

During his term in Parliament he held positions as state minister in most of the government ministries, except the newly established ones such as the Ministry of Climate Change. Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Trades, Ministry of Internal Affairs for three or four terms, and the Ministry of Education on two or three occasions.

The experience set by the outgoing DPM was massive. Those wanting to go into politics must aspire to be like him. He set a fine example of exemplary leadership.

Mr Natuman also held senior positions in the Vanua’aku Pati as the second in command for so many years until the passing of late Nipake Natapei, the President, which propelled him to the top position he holds until today, and he will continue to run the party into the future.