25 Jan 2008

Vauatu Investment Authority reassured by response to killings

3:43 pm on 25 January 2008

The Chief Executive of Vanuatu's Investment Promotion Authority says he's pleased by the swift police, public and governmental response to two recent killings in Port Vila.

Joe Ligo had previously expressed concern that crime will affect investor confidence following two killings in the capital during the same weekend earlier this month.

But Mr Ligo says he's been reassured by the number of moves made since the killings to take action against violent crime and theft which is on the rise in the capital.

Police have arrested all suspects in one of the killings.

The government has set up a task force to deal with crime and establish a forum to develop for wide-ranging preventative measures.

The Port Vila Town Council of Chiefs has been holding meetings on crime prevention and is soon to present their Petition for Action to the government.

A newly formed Women Against Crime committee is also petitioning for change.

Mr Ligo says that with all this happening, it is becoming clear that Vanuatu will not allow criminals to run the country.