The Sanma Provincial Government, in partnership with the Vanuatu Skills Partnership (VSP) through the Sanma Skills Centre, is combining skills development with infrastructure improvement in the South East area of the province.
Work is currently underway on the new Area Council office in Banban, with completion expected by October. The initiative is supported by the Australian Government and marks another milestone in the collaboration between Sanma Province and VSP, which have previously delivered several successful projects together.
Sanma Provincial Government Project Officer, Marcel George, said the new facility will help strengthen local governance.
“The main aim is to create proper office spaces so the Area Council can better accommodate services within the community,” he explained. “It’s about giving people a place where their needs can be addressed efficiently.”
The project carries a total cost of over 10 million vatu, with funding shared equally between Sanma Province and VSP. Under the arrangement, the province covers material costs while both parties contribute to payments for the construction company.
The worksite also serves as a practical training ground for 30 trainees from South East area council undertaking the Certificate I and II in Building and Construction, facilitated by Vanuatu Institute of Technology (VIT). The training is being delivered in the community, making it more accessible and reducing the financial pressure on families.
VIT facilitator Moses Nalau said the program is designed to be both hands-on and directly beneficial to the community.
“We have structured the training into modules, which allows us to track progress and ensure trainees can apply what they learn immediately,” Nalau said. “By working on a real project like this, they gain experience that will stay with them long after the course ends.”
In 2023, Sanma Province and VSP completed a similar office on West Coast Santo. According to George, planning is already underway for more Area Council offices to be built in 2026.
“This is part of a long-term vision to improve governance facilities while equipping our people with skills to build and maintain them,” he added.
