Tangalua Eco Tourism demands compensation from Government

A company on Tanna formed in 2009, Tangalua Eco Tourism Cooperative Society Limited (TETCSL), is demanding the Government pay the society close to Vt6.5 million for lost income from loss of kava allegedly “stolen” by the police officers, the Chairman of TETCSL, Yusuf Joseph Nasamal says.

Nasamal, an outspoken youth leader active in both Port Vila communities and on Tanna, wants the Prime Minister, Sato Kilman, and the Minister for Tourism and Deputy Prime Minister, Moana Carcasses, to ensure the company’s claim of Vt6,482,000 for lost kava, loss of income, and interest for labor and lost business is paid.

He claims that on March 17, 2009 two police officers based on Tanna allegedly “stole” the kava from a ship on which it was loaded at Lenakel wharf. The kava was destined for sale in Port Vila to raise money for construction of the company’s planned bungalows and restaurant, he adds.

Nasamal says because of the incident, their project has been on hold while they have been trying until today to get the police officers to own up to their action and for the police or the government on their behalf to compensate the farmers for the loss of business and interest on their labour.

He says that in 2011 they reported the matter to then Prime Minister Moana Carcasses when he visited the area on Tanna and that he promised to assist them, but that it is unresolved to today.

The energetic youth leader has also appealed to the minister responsible for the police, who is the Prime Minister, to discipline those officers allegedly involved in the longstanding issue.

“I and the youths I lead do a lot of awareness work in the communities of Port Vila and on Tanna with the police on crime prevention encouraging people and saying the ‘Police is a friend of the people’.

“But when the police officers act contrary to what they tell the people, this puts the integrity of the police in doubt,” Nasamal continues.

He explains that in 2009, the people of 12 villages (communities) in Middle Bush, East and North Tanna came together and decided to cooperate in an activity to build bonding between them and stop the continual disputes over land and other matters that was prevalent among them. The project would also assist the communities with income generation for schools fees, to improve health facilities and contribute to infrastructure development.

“In January 2009, the people met and agreed to start a tourism project. So they formed a committee and elected me Chairman.

“And because they did not have an MP to assist them or money to carry out their plan, they decided they would use their own resources, and as they all had kava in their gardens, they agreed to sell the kava to get capital to start the business,” he said.

The project chairman adds that with the first shipment of kava from 6 of the 12 communities in February 2009, they registered the company and business name with the Vanuatu Financial Services Commission.

Also, with the help of the Department of Forestry they acquired a logging license under the company name to help with the planned business.

He claims that the alleged police “theft” of the company’s kava happened to the second shipment that had been loaded onto the MV Southern Star for shipment to Port Vila to raise money. And with this money to purchase nails and other materials for starting construction of bungalows and a restaurant.

He continues his story claiming that the two Tanna-based police officers, when they found out that Samuel Nasamal, the younger brother of the chairman, was to travel on the vessel to Port Vila, they ordered the large kava bundle unloaded and the younger Nasamal held in detention and questioned on suspicion of marijuana possession.

Nasamal says that his younger brother has made a statement telling the Chairman and the company board made up of the 12 chiefs of the villages that has alleged the two policemen “drank the kava”.

He says even the most senior officers of Tanna police, the head of Professional Standard Unit (PSU), and the previous Acting Commissioner of Police were all aware of the claims of the villagers and their push to have the matter resolved.

He adds because of the alleged police “theft” of their kava, disputes and incidents of fighting between the villages are continuing today.

“And the matter of the theft of our kava is unresolved to this day and we want compensation from the Government because the Police work for the Government.”