Vanuatu Minister of Finance responsible for the Vanuatu National Provident Fund (VNPF), Johnny Koanapo, will be seeking the Council of Ministers’ (COM) approval for funding of the new High Commission building in Fiji.
This was conveyed by the General Manager (GM) of VNPF, Parmod Achary, following their recent visit to the Vanuatu High Commission in Fiji.
He said Minister Koanapo revealed to the Acting High Commissioner, Viran Brown, that there is funding for the project. He said there were discussions for the Government to borrow a loan from VNPF to build the building.
He said it would cost around VT300 million to build the new High Commission building.
This initiative for VNPF to fund the High Commission building was revealed in 2020, prior to the opening of VNPF’s first offshore property in New Caledonia.
Achary said they have already secured a land from the Fijian Government located at Suva Point. It is expected that the project will also provide a centre for Vanuatu students to host important events like Independence celebrations, including an office for VNPF to monitor its education scheme, he said.
GM Achary and the Director General of Finance and Chairman of the VNPF Board, August Letlet, accompanied Minister Koanapo on the visit.
After their visit to the Vanuatu’s High Commission Office, they met with VNPF sponsored students at Laucala Campus. Minister Koanapo talked about the government’s spending on education and he also responded to questions from students regarding their education loan repayments and allowance delay.
He encouraged the students to take their education seriously and make the most of the opportunity, so that they can graduate and return home to contribute to the country’s development.
Minister Koanapo gave VT100, 000 to the Vanuatu Student Association to support them in organising their Independence program.
Source: Daily Post Vanuatu
Solomon Islands 
Papua New Guinea 
