4 Jul 2013

Epi island in Vanuatu set to reap benefits from cabinet meeting

7:12 pm on 4 July 2013

Leaders on Epi Island in Vanuatu's in Shefa Province say the four buildings constructed especially for the meeting of the Council of Ministers should help usher in a new economic era for the island.

The three-day cabinet meeting at Rovo Bay ran from Wednesday to Friday last week.

The Epi Council of Chiefs and the Shefa provincial authorities have confirmed plans to make the offices available for rent to organisations, businesses and individuals.

The Shefa secretary general, Michel Kalworai, says they are also planning to negotiate with P&O Cruises to start a regular call to Rovo Bay because all the basic infrastructure is now in place.

The Council of Ministers meeting agreed to relocate the Shefa provincial headquarters and it could be to Epi.

The minister for provincial affairs, Patrick Crowby, backs such a move saying the infrastructure is there.

He says it will cost less because the land is owned by the government while most lands on Efate are under dispute.