High rising of thefts in the capital, Port Vila

According to the reports by Vanuatu daily post this week, thefts in the capital Port Vila is being described as "escalating". The criminals have been allegedly targeting the expatriate community in the capital. Given the seriousness of the issue, the current CEO of VIPA , Mr Joe Ligo, had made calls to the Vanuatu Government to admit that there is indeed a problem.There are many reasons as regards why people are likely to occasion these criminal activities. Sadly, it is becoming popular with thieves in Port Vila, who, are targeting members of the expatriate community. Perhaps, the Government should be more pragmatic in its approach, such as looking at the root causes of the problem. One of the problems is unemployment, it appears that the rising number of unemployment in Port Vila might be a contributing factor towards people occasioning these criminal activities. Some observers believe that poverty breeds crime, therefore perhaps the Government should do more in order to reduce the level of poverty amongst people of low socio-economic backgrounds. If unemployment and SPR was to remain an issue, it would always influence people resorting to criminal alternatives, in order to make ends meet. Consequently, sadly, some people would continue to transgress beyonds the bounds of the laws.

Port Vila residents have been complaining as regards whether Vanuatu Police should do more in order to prevent the occurrence of the thefts in the capital. However, it appears that this has been compounded with the fact that the subordinate members of the police force have been allegedly worried more about their outstanding pays, which, the Government has been reportedly failed to pay them over the last few years. Daily Post reported that, Prime Minister, Ham Lini, has had an important meeting with his Council of Ministers regarding the matter. Therefore, the Government has fledged its muscles, declaring that the so called subordinate members of the Police Force, will be receiving their outstanding pay as soon as possible during this month.

© Indigenous-Ni-Vanuatu 2008.