Councilor donates fund towards International Seafarers day celebrations

Jun 23, 2019 | News | 0

The Vanuatu Seafarers Union (VSU) received a donation of Vt50,000 from Councilor Joel Langlois at the Public works office on Thursday this week.

VSU Chief Executive officer (CEO) Jeneck Patunvanu received the donation at the Union’s office witnessed by a member of the union.

Councilor Langlois said that the donation is in recognition of the seafarers around the world, especially in Vanuatu, who are playing an important vital role in the development of Vanuatu. He said that their services and duties has indeed impacted positive major assistances to Vanuatu within all industries.

Mr Langlois said that “more importantly we are here to commemorate the services of our Ni-van seafarers, whom from past to present, contributed a lot to Vanuatu’s economy and that is why this donation is a token of his appreciation of their services”.

VSU CEO, Patunvanu acknowledged Councilor Langlois for the donation and said that the donation will go towards the International Seafarers Day celebrations which will take place on the 25th of June 2019 at the Feiawa Park Seafront stage.

He said that the celebration is an annual global event, commemorating men and women from all over the globe who have dedicated their services to the shipping industry.

Mr Patunvanu said that the celebration is organized by a joint effort of the VSU, Office of the Maritime regulator, Ports and Harbor, The Maritime Wing, Women in Maritime and the Mission to Seafarers. He said that the International Maritime Organization had come up with the theme for this year’s celebration: “I am on board with gender equality”.

CEO Patunvanu said that this year’s celebration will be a special one as it will also commemorate the services women who have provided their services in the shipping industry. He said that they will also commemorate seafarers who have lost their lives during their services at sea. Mr Patunvanu also mentioned that aside from this, they will be also celebrating the VSU’s one-year anniversary after the union was moved out from association to become a union.

He encouraged more youths to actively involve in the Seafarer’s business as it is growing rapidly these days and said that anyone interested, may head up to their office for any queries. He also confirmed that the international celebration will also be held in Lugainville Santo.

SOURCE: VANUATU DAILY POST

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