New dawn turns to new day

January 18 afternoon By Len Garae - The Vanuatu Daily Post Newspaper If the first touch down of the inaugural flight by Air Vanuatu direct from Brisbane to Pekoa International Airport last year was hailed as representing a new dawn for Sanma and the Northern Provinces then the first touch down by the airline’s Boeing 737-800 plane last Friday to replace the 737-300 plane, brings with it a new day for the North. In reality, the introduction of AV1 737–800 reflects the rapidly growing international demand by visitors from other countries to visit Vanuatu. Invited guests at a function at Pekoa to welcome the arrival of the new Boeing plane last Friday were dancing with joy to celebrate the new dimension. Watching them dance to the live VMF Band, East Santo business man and NUP MP Yavcuth remarked, “Up here we in Santo do things from the heart and those guests who are dancing are dancing from the heart. “Look at all our beautiful islands and how they are developing. In fact the door has opened for some investors to expand further out even as far as Port Olry and this is reflective of the confidence that we have along with the doors that this Government is opening for us. “We have long waited for stability and this Coalition Government led by Prime Minister Ham Lini has introduced investor confidence and that is why the feeling is right for development in Sanma Province and mainland Santo”. While the people of Santo are waking up to the reality that they need to change their attitude to be on par with the rest of Vanuatu to contribute to economic development, the MP has called on his people to learn from Efate especially where money has blinded many landowners and before they even realised it, they had sold most of the leases of their custom land to foreigners leaving themselves and their future generations with a bleak horizon. When he was prime Minister, MP Barak Sope had encouraged Vanuatu to “look east” for its economic prosperity. Now the Lini-led Government is singing the same tune. With the opening of Pekoa International Airport to international flights, the Government delegation assured Luganville residents last Friday that the country is going to look to Asia to tap into its tourism markets and investment resources. A historical advantage of Luganville, Santo, Sanma Province and the Northern Provinces is their untouched natural beauties that can be exploited and turned into hit tourist attractions. For the rural Provinces however, the main hurdle is insufficient infrastructure. The AV1 737-800 plane will begin its commercial as of February 1 with a capacity of 162 passengers in the Economy Class and 8 passengers in the Executive Class totalling 170 passengers. The Airline’s Chief Executive Officer, Terry Kerr drew loud applause when he revealed that the new plane is unique as it is fitted with the latest technological equipment making it the first plane in the fleet in the world to fly with it. Whatever it is exactly, Daily Post has no information to let the public know as the independent media was not allowed to travel with the Government politicians and Board Members and their families on the flight from Port Vila, over all the islands up north including the Torres Group before returning to land at Pekoa International Airport. Asked why we could not travel with them, the explanation provided were words to the effect that the certification documents are not yet completed and in case of any emergency, the company would take no responsibility. Meanwhile according to reliable sources, the departing Boeing 737-300 plane is reported to be destined for the Midlands in England as it is well looked after and is still in very good condition.