6 May 2014

Concerns at Vanuatu airport land acquisition

8:34 am on 6 May 2014

Vanuatu's Vaturisu Council of Chiefs on Efate is against government plans to compulsorily acquire land for a new international airport.

Last week the chiefs came out in support of the development under which a Singaporean company is to hold a 50 year lease to develop and run airports around the country.

The government is reportedly planning to acquire the necessary land.

The chiefs, who have been attending the 10th Vaturisu conference, say this approach would shut the custom owners out of ongoing returns.

The Chairman of the South Efate Council of Chiefs, Andrew Kalpoilep, says they want a long term agreement with the landowners to allow them to continue to receive financial gain from the project after the airport is completed.