Port Vila's Runway
China is currently funding the construction of a big convention centre in Port Vila. Maybe they'll throw some more in for runway repairs?
I've been told, though, that there is already a World Bank (or similar) loan available to fund the repairs, which was made available after TC Pam resulted in significant acceleration of the deterioration. Not sure why it hasn't been started, but presumably this will take some months to undertake. Meantime, an already battered tourist economy will suffer some more
I've been told, though, that there is already a World Bank (or similar) loan available to fund the repairs, which was made available after TC Pam resulted in significant acceleration of the deterioration. Not sure why it hasn't been started, but presumably this will take some months to undertake. Meantime, an already battered tourist economy will suffer some more
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" that there is already a World Bank (or similar) loan available to fund the repairs, which was made available after TC Pam resulted in significant acceleration of the deterioration."
Ahhhh! But how to distribute it? There's me who should get a share, and then my relative, and his second brother ............. and on it goes.
"Not sure why it hasn't been started, but presumably this will take some months to undertake"
Not familiar with the Pacific, are you? Try years in lieu of months.
Troppo nailed it. Vanuatu is one of many examples in the Pacific, and Africa, where the locals were better off under different circumstances. National pride comes at a price.
Ahhhh! But how to distribute it? There's me who should get a share, and then my relative, and his second brother ............. and on it goes.
"Not sure why it hasn't been started, but presumably this will take some months to undertake"
Not familiar with the Pacific, are you? Try years in lieu of months.
Troppo nailed it. Vanuatu is one of many examples in the Pacific, and Africa, where the locals were better off under different circumstances. National pride comes at a price.
Perhaps the money which should have been spent maintaining the runway got syphoned off into someones bank account ?
Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi airport is a prize example of this, opened nearly ten years ago and plagued by cracks in the runways, taxiways and apron areas from day one. The problem still isn't fixed and resurfacing is an ongoing exercise.
The Chinese could build them a runway but I think the politicians would rather someone gave them the money to build the runway instead.
Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi airport is a prize example of this, opened nearly ten years ago and plagued by cracks in the runways, taxiways and apron areas from day one. The problem still isn't fixed and resurfacing is an ongoing exercise.
The Chinese could build them a runway but I think the politicians would rather someone gave them the money to build the runway instead.
It's pretty simple really. The runway has been deteriorating for quite some time, they finally did the survey about a year and a half ago from memory but only when Virgin and the others started to threaten to pull out. Survey got done, there was a loan available from the World Bank and also I believe from Japan as well whom were also set to redo their Wharf, but it all fell apart as usual at the last minute due to some minister or another who decided they weren't getting enough money out of it.
There was also talk of constructing an entirely new Airport on Efate, the main island, this muddied the waters somewhat, once again that all came undone rather quickly. The group who were going to do it thought they'd be able to throw money at the Ni-Vans who owned the land they wanted and it'd all be good, these Ni-Vans though had a bit more pride and weren't willing to give up the only real assets and their ancestral lands for money, especially from the arrogant bunch who were offering it, nice to see in a way actually!
Vanuatu also has a lot of corruption within its Government, they recently sent to jail 11+ MPs for corruption, though I think they're all out again now but banned from any positions of power for at least a decade, for what little good that will do.
I was there flying around a couple of weeks after Cyclone Pam hit and there weren't any particular pot holes or large sections breaking up but you could see it starting and who knows what the survey showed underneath as well. They could have had it all done by now but they continually let pride get in the way and as we all know, Pride comes before the fall!
There was also talk of constructing an entirely new Airport on Efate, the main island, this muddied the waters somewhat, once again that all came undone rather quickly. The group who were going to do it thought they'd be able to throw money at the Ni-Vans who owned the land they wanted and it'd all be good, these Ni-Vans though had a bit more pride and weren't willing to give up the only real assets and their ancestral lands for money, especially from the arrogant bunch who were offering it, nice to see in a way actually!
Vanuatu also has a lot of corruption within its Government, they recently sent to jail 11+ MPs for corruption, though I think they're all out again now but banned from any positions of power for at least a decade, for what little good that will do.
I was there flying around a couple of weeks after Cyclone Pam hit and there weren't any particular pot holes or large sections breaking up but you could see it starting and who knows what the survey showed underneath as well. They could have had it all done by now but they continually let pride get in the way and as we all know, Pride comes before the fall!
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Airports Vanuatu Limited
Bauerfield has reached this state after years of neglect and mis-management by AVL.
In recent months corruption scandals , lack of transparency, and government interference have all contribute to the demise.
We have qualified and capable ni-vanuatu that can take charge , yet they are not selected due to the nepotism and Govt appointees that win at the end of the day,resulting in money going missing. Carriers pay Ldg fees, so where has all the money gone??
We have an air-conditioned VIP terminal, seldom used , new, yet both international and domestic terminals are falling apart and yet to be up-graded since the bad colonial days. Airport approach lighting has been out for months, beacons intermittent, fire trucks always inop and to add insult to injury,last month, they fired the last European ATC standards guy , as he highlighted problems within the system.
What this country needs is a proper international airport, not a regional one, something to handle wide-body and the only solution is to up-grade Santo Pekoa with 3200m of new tarmac that was surveyed in 1943 with nice clear take off and landing approach paths.
Bauerfield was purposely built near the ridge by the Seabees to safe guard against Japanese aerial attack and has passed its used by date by about 40 years.
Should Australia help I hear you say; then if so make sure you bring in Australian workers and especially management staff to oversee the procurement of equipment and finances .
NF is also bleeding for similar reasons, ATR lies rotting on the grass with missing motors,leasing a clapped out 737 in the interim whilst the new one comes, Otters in dire need of refurbishment , Yes the state of Aviation has come rock bottom. Having lost their IOSA audit, it may be best Jetstar or someone similar take over international Ops.
NF needs to privatize to change the working mentality of its overstaffed workforce, similarly AVL needs competent management to get the essential work done
In recent months corruption scandals , lack of transparency, and government interference have all contribute to the demise.
We have qualified and capable ni-vanuatu that can take charge , yet they are not selected due to the nepotism and Govt appointees that win at the end of the day,resulting in money going missing. Carriers pay Ldg fees, so where has all the money gone??
We have an air-conditioned VIP terminal, seldom used , new, yet both international and domestic terminals are falling apart and yet to be up-graded since the bad colonial days. Airport approach lighting has been out for months, beacons intermittent, fire trucks always inop and to add insult to injury,last month, they fired the last European ATC standards guy , as he highlighted problems within the system.
What this country needs is a proper international airport, not a regional one, something to handle wide-body and the only solution is to up-grade Santo Pekoa with 3200m of new tarmac that was surveyed in 1943 with nice clear take off and landing approach paths.
Bauerfield was purposely built near the ridge by the Seabees to safe guard against Japanese aerial attack and has passed its used by date by about 40 years.
Should Australia help I hear you say; then if so make sure you bring in Australian workers and especially management staff to oversee the procurement of equipment and finances .
NF is also bleeding for similar reasons, ATR lies rotting on the grass with missing motors,leasing a clapped out 737 in the interim whilst the new one comes, Otters in dire need of refurbishment , Yes the state of Aviation has come rock bottom. Having lost their IOSA audit, it may be best Jetstar or someone similar take over international Ops.
NF needs to privatize to change the working mentality of its overstaffed workforce, similarly AVL needs competent management to get the essential work done
Last edited by DUSKY DOG; 31st Jan 2016 at 09:15.
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Appears QANTAS and ANZ have stopped flying as well...
https://au.travel.yahoo.com/news/a/3...s-for-landing/
https://au.travel.yahoo.com/news/a/3...s-for-landing/
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What this country needs is a proper international airport, not a regional one, something to handle wide-body and the only solution is to up-grade Santo Pekoa with 3200m of new tarmac that was surveyed in 1943 with nice clear take off and landing approach paths.
They just need an decent new runway that can happy handle 737s/320s to AKL,SYD,BNE. Along with an simple, modern terminal setup.
Most of the other Islands have been able to get there act together, and worship NZ to fly to them. Yet Port Vila Airport on the other hand
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You won't stop China and Malaysia increasing their influence in the Pacific.
Their funding is "liberally distributed" and always comes with strings attached. Unfortunately, Islanders find out too late that their resources have been sold out by their own wealthy politicians.
Australian funding comes without strings attached, is not "liberally distributed" and funds specific projects through tied funding, directly administered and disbursed by Australian agencies.
And that is the way it should be!
Their funding is "liberally distributed" and always comes with strings attached. Unfortunately, Islanders find out too late that their resources have been sold out by their own wealthy politicians.
Australian funding comes without strings attached, is not "liberally distributed" and funds specific projects through tied funding, directly administered and disbursed by Australian agencies.
And that is the way it should be!
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" And that is the way it should be! "
Which is exactly why the pollies find the money that is liberally distributed more attractive and allows China, Taiwan etc to get established in impoverished countries.
Those countries distributing liberally will continue to do so and develop regional relationships and influence despite Australia doing it properly. If Australia was to stop the money would keep flowing, probably some into the projects Australia was involved in - plus a bit more into local hip pockets.
There is a case for the return of colonialism.
Which is exactly why the pollies find the money that is liberally distributed more attractive and allows China, Taiwan etc to get established in impoverished countries.
Those countries distributing liberally will continue to do so and develop regional relationships and influence despite Australia doing it properly. If Australia was to stop the money would keep flowing, probably some into the projects Australia was involved in - plus a bit more into local hip pockets.
There is a case for the return of colonialism.
Man Bilong Balus long PNG
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Australian funding comes without strings attached, is not "liberally distributed" and funds specific projects through tied funding, directly administered and disbursed by Australian agencies.
We both have seen the results of the reverse case in operation in the past have we not?
There is a case for the return of colonialism.
Simply because they saw the 'progress'
that had come to their Villages since Independence.
There is a case for the return of colonialism.
