Vanuatu will not allow criminals destroy its image: PM’s office
Author: Ricky Binihi Date: Sat, 12 January, 2008
The Prime Minister’s office says the government will not allow burglars and murderers destroy Vanuatu’s reputation as the happiest place on earth.
Prime Minister ‘s public relations officer, Mr Patrick Crowby, made the statement in the wake of news about the death of two Efate residents who Police allege were murdered during the weekend.
The body of a ni-Vanuatu man Daniel Hosea was found floating outside Whitesands on Sunday and that of an Australian resident Lindall Jaques was also found on the beach near the road to Devils Point around the same time.
Police preliminary investigations suggest foul play and are treating both cases as murder.
The Prime Minister’s Office has issued their deepest condolences to the family members of Hosea and Jaques over their alleged brutal killings during the weekend.
“The Prime Minister is away in Pentecost attending the mourning ceremony to mark 10 days after the passing away of his mother.
“But when he returns to Port Vila he will meet with senior Police authorities to convey the government’s deep concerns over the escalation of burglaries in the Capital and the two recent deaths,” Mr Crowby said.
Government spokesman Crowby has also issued a strong warning that if the Police investigations prove that the two were murdered then the Prime Minister’s office wants the culprits to be dealt with by the full force of the law.
The Prime Minister’s office said every people in Vanuatu are entitled to life, liberty, and protection of property and protection of the law.
It is the duty of the community leaders, parents, responsible individuals, and the Police to ensure that those fundamental rights enshrined in the Vanuatu Constitution are always protected, Mr Crowby said.
On claims that Vanuatu will become another Papua New Guinea, which has one of the highest rates of criminal activities in the region Mr Crowby said he doubted it because in Vanuatu 80 percent of its populations, where chiefs are still in control, people are not terrorised like in Port Vila and Luganville.
Daily Post understands that the government is aware of security and safety issues and how they could hamper Vanuatu chances of being one of the fastest growing economies (7.2 percent) in the region that is why Prime Minister Lini has taken the initiative to address the Police GRT back pay claims.
Vanuatu was recently voted the Happiest Place On earth by a British based organization but if the government does not seriously look at the issue of security in Vanuatu then its tourism industry could be affected.
http://www.dailypost.vu/index.php?news=1607
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I have watched with interest your updating of the news from Vanuatu concerning the death of Lindall Jacques. I was a volunteer with AVI in Port Vila last year, working with Youth Challenge. I maintain an interest in what is happening there and I was deeply saddened by this event. I agree with the PM that Vanuatu is highly unlikely as a country to follow the path of PNG. However I am concerned about the communities in PV where there is overcrowding, lack of services, no jobs and increasing poverty. It certainly leads to a higher likelihood of criminal activity and unrest. It is sad to see the town going this way and I would love to read on your blog what you think is the answer to this issue. How does a city like PV grow in safety and support the community? It is a real quandry....the aid doesn't seem to work in favour of the people in a lot of circumstances.
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