Epau Area Council opens

The President of Shefa Province, Edward George and Deputy President, Johnny Max, jointly unveiled the name to open the Epau Area Council Office in East Efate this week.

Shefa Secretariat is concentrating on strengthening all Area Councils with infrastructure, ensuring resource staffing and revenue collection.

SG Kalworai says one of its most important duties is to collect revenue from all business outlets in the village. “The Area Council Secretary must collect revenue from every business including those selling kava and cigarettes in the village, and report to the Accountant at Shefa Provincial Headquarters in Port Vila”, he says.

All Area Councils are expected to meet four times in one year and at least twice in one year. “If mamas have a project for the Council to help them with, you must make sure that it is presented at the meeting in order for it to be captured in its minutes for the Shefa Administration to attend to it”, he says.

On the other hand if the cost of the project exceeds its budget allocation then the Administration seeks external funding for the project through donor partners.

The same message goes to the chiefs, churches, and people with disability, youth and business houses. “Today I am asking you at Epau Area Council to work together with my Administration through your Area Council Secretary, and to make sure that your Councillor is also present at all your meetings as an observer”, he says.

In his opening remarks, President Edward George says an Area Council represents a small government in the community and anything the community wants have to go through the Area Council.

“It gives me great pleasure to lead the delegation here today to witness the opening of the Epau Area Council Office in East Efate”, he says.

The President appeals to the Area Council to work closely with the Councillor, to invite him to all its meetings.