22 Sep 2009

Vanuatu landowners force Santo college to close

5:43 pm on 22 September 2009

Landowners forced the Vanuatu Agriculture College on Santo to close its doors late last week.

The college, built by the Chinese Government, began operating last year.

The landowners accuse the government of breaching an agreement to pay them compensation for the use of their land.

The deputy director of the college, Moulin Tavuti, says the action by the landowners has forced the administration to leave the college facilities.

But he says classes have been continuing with students instructed in two rooms at two separate schools in Luganville.

The director of the college, Peter Napuat, is now in Port Vila to negotiate the settlement of the claims with the Minister of Lands, Harry Iauko.