“…Wholistic Approach to Development is best when there is genuine collaboration between National Government, Provincial Government, Municipal Council, Development Partners and Communities…” (Hon. Tomker Netvunei, Minister of Youth Development & Sports)
Hon. Minister of Youth Development & Sports, MP Tomker Netvunei seated second from left, Sanma Province Assistant Secretary General Carol Rovo seated center, flanked by Ministry of Youth Development & Sports and Sanma Provincial Staff and other Government officers @ Sanma Provincial Head Quarter in Luganville, Santo, 11 January 2023
These were words echoed by the Hon. Minister of Youth Development & Sports, MP Tomker Netvunei at the end of a 5-day tour of Sanma Province from 10-14 January 2023. The team comprised of Hon. Minister Netvunei and First Political Adviser Mr. Andrew Charlie Nowor, the Director General Mr. Henry Vira, Youth & Sports Department Director Mr. Henry Tavoa, CEO Vanuatu National Sports Commission CEO Mr. Trevor Toka and Vanuatu National Youth Authority Acting CEO Mr. Edward Viralakaua Taivakalo.
The touring party teamed up with Sanma Provincial Authority staff and Sanma Provincial Sports Committee members as well as Public Service Commission representative Ms. Flora Mele to visit and establish dialogue with Luganville Municipal Council, Sanma Area Council 1, Sanma Area Council 2, Port Olry, Matevulu college and consulted also Luganville Football Association at Chapuis Stadium.
The main objective of this official visit was to officially launch construction of the Multipurpose Sports Court at Chapuis Stadium (as part of Cyclone Harold Rebuild) as well as identify and confirm other sites around Sanma to also receive similar sports facilities. The Multipurpose Sports Court at Chapuis Stadium is funded through Bi-lateral assistance from the Government of the Republic of China and to be constructed by CCECC. Lord Mayor of Luganville, Hon. Allan Awa and Hon. Minister Netvunei officiated the launching on the 11th of January 2023.
Hon. Lord Mayor of Luganville Municipality, Allan Awa (front left) and Hon. Minister Of Youth Development & Sports, MP Tomker Netvunei officially launching construction of sports multipurpose court @ Chapuis Stadium, Luganville, Santo
Hon. Minister, MP Tomker Netvunei (front center), Hon. Lord Mayor of Luganville, Hon. Allan Awa (front left), Luganville Municipality and Ministry staff at LMC headquarter in Luganville, Santo
Hon. Minister Netvunei sees value in the participation of schools to host multipurpose sports facilities to ensure facilities are utilized to the maximum and maintained. During his visit around Sanma Province the Honorable Minister also reminded recipient communities to help the Government maintain these facilities to ensure young people and other community members reap maximum benefit in years to come with the help of the Vanuatu National Sports Commission, VASANOC, SANMA Sports Committee and other sports bodies.
Sanma Provincial Council and Public Service Commission also received from the Ministry of Youth Development & Sports a brand new vehicle to be used mainly by the Sanma Provincial Sports Development Officer, Mr. Newman Tangis and Sanma Sports Committee for youth development around Sanma province. The newly established Sports Committee comprises of Civil Servants as well as representatives of various sports disciplines operating in Sanma Province including netball, cricket, rugby, soccer, volleyball, boxing, petanque and basketball. Vanuatu Red Cross Society is also represented in the committee.
Sanma Sports Development Officer, Newman Tangis (4th from right), Assistant SG Sanma Province, Mrs. Carol Rovo (3rd from right), PSC Sanma HRO, Ms. Flora Mele (2nd from right & members of the Sanma Sports Committee following handing over of new vehicle.
Sanma Provincial Authority Assistant Secretary General Mrs. Carol Rovo and her staff and Flora Mele from the Public Service Commission also accompanied the touring party which was very much appreciated by everyone involved.
Hon. Minister of Youth Development & Sports, MP Tomker Netvunei sees significant value in combining efforts with other ministries, provincial and municipal authorities as well as involving development partners in such efforts in future as it adds more weight and involves less costs and time wasting in the long run.