95% OF PVMC 100 DAYS PLAN ACHIEVED

95% of the objectives set out by the Port Vila Municipal Council (PVMC) in its 100 days plan of February 19 th to May 29th have been fulfilled, a proud Mayor Sumptoh Ulrich has announced.

Mayor Ulrich was addressing the 100 days plan official closing event on Wednesday.

Despite facing public criticism and challenges, commitment and passion to see every residents have access to better services and essential needs is what drove the mayor and his determined staff to strongly absorbed their vision of reviving Port Vila.

Mayor Ulrich took over office from former Mayor Ruben Olul in January 2014. Upon formation, the council launched its 100 days plan comprising of 29 initiatives; six that are made purposely for the councillors to carry out, 15 for the Town Clerk and deputy while eight (8) have been applied by heads of sections and staff.

Wednesday’s event not only celebrate the closing date for enactment but also the commencement of the initiatives that have been regarded as huge milestones in the history of PVMC, undertaken by the current council through the assistance of consultant, Jonathan Iavere and Sons Consultancy.

The consultant has been reviewing the year 2000 by-laws to give power back to PVMC, something previous councils never done.

PVMC’s first accomplishment was providing efficient street lighting.After negotiations, the council and supplier of electricity UNELCO, together with the Utilities Regulatory Authority signed the commission order lately in April to provide well functioning street lighting service whereby the responsibilities to operate and maintain the service be transferred to UNELCO. This is a cost cutting exercise after all PVMC has been facing financial problems.

The yellow Plastic Bag has been initiated as the new garbage system and is expected to become effective early July. Despite public criticism, the council still believes the yellow plastic bag is a solution for a clean and healthy Port Vila City.

Activating by-laws result in the activating priority by-law no.25, commission from gas sale, which saw a MOU signed between the council and Origin Gas Ltd as the first company to show interest in generating revenue back into the council for the benefit of citizens.

Other achievements that follow include the establishment of the Five Ward Councils as the 100 days plan objective number3. The aim is to ensure everyone’s (children, youth, disabled people, women and church) voice is heard and that Port Vila be well organised.

Establishment of Police Sub-Post for security reason; establishing a ‘Nius Leta’ in three languages is another historic attainment purposely to bring information down to the communities.

Apart from the ‘Nius Leta’, PVMC recently launched its social Facebook Page and residents who have access to Internet could read and freely provide suggestions or made comments to the developments, by-laws or acts of PVMC.

After consultations, an agreement has been made ready to be sign for PVMC to manage its health clinics in partnership with the Ministry of Health.

Finally, the council in signing agreements has established working relations with other partners and organisations as the Vanuatu Society for Disabled People, which it agrees to support the organisation’s operational budget with Vt100 000 annually. Youth, chiefs and women have are also working close with the council.