Only two areas in the heart of Port Vila town are declared community land. Both are managed by women.
The Mayor of Port Vila City, Sumptoh Ulrich, revealed this during the Central Hillside Park handover ceremony.
The area accommodating the Shanghai Farea, the women’s handicraft centre located behind the public library was declared a community land by the late Prime Minister Father Walter Lini.
The women vendors were given responsibility to manage the land.
Just recently the Minster of Land and Natural Resources, Ralph Regenvanu, and Mayor Ulrich, put pen to paper to formalize the management agreement of the Central Hillside Park.
The Presbyterian Women’s Mission Union (PWMU) of the Paton Memorial Church (PMC) is now managing this newly declared community land located opposite the Central Day Care, not far away from Unelco’s town office and the Post Office.
It is a milestone in the history of the women’s religious group to be given responsibility to manage and develop the state land.
PWMU is a faithful arm of PMC and this achievement will enhance their contribution to the church, said Pastor Philip of the Vila North Session.
“We, the church, is also affected by problems caused by urban drift, such as unemployment.
“The high cost of living in Port Vila is affecting families connected to the church.
“One of the affected group is women.
“While pastors inside the church are feeding lives spiritually, through the word of God, our women will be feeding people physically through their activities at the park such as installing food stalls. READ MORE
SOURCE: VANUATU DAILY POST
