In Vanuatu Takara villagers in North Efate, who live opposite the Second World War Quoin Hill Airfield, have asked the Government to renovate the airstrip into an emergency landing strip.
Bad weather at Bauerfield airport forced the plane to land at Quoin Hill Airfield. Photo: RNZ
The villagers made the call after a plane made an emergency landing on the airstrip as bad weather barred it from landing at Bauerfield Domestic Airport in Port Vila.
The 400 villagers say renovating the airfield would also bring about much-needed economic activity to their area.
The villagers made the request to the Government during discussions for an Australian company to explore the possibility of setting up a geothermal power plant next to the airstrip.
The Takara villagers have also successfully built a traditional meeting house over the original floor of a United States Army dining hall.
The thatch roof building, in the shape of letter L, is also using the original concrete wall to add a historical touch to the building, which is believed to be the biggest meeting house in the entire north of Efate Island.
