Demolition starts

Demolition of earthquake-damaged buildings in the Port Vila Central Business District (CBD) is set to begin soon. Following approval from the Port Vila City Council (PVCC) yesterday, the first two private buildings will be demolished. PVCC Town Clerk David Hopa confirmed that they have approved demolition permits for Chantillys on the Bay and La Casa d’Andrea e Luciano, meaning their owners and contractors can begin demolition work.

The demolition process will take time, as most of the damaged buildings in the city are privately owned. Johnson Binaru, Director General of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Public Utilities (MIPU) and a member of the Civil Engineering Infrastructure Subcommittee, stated that building owners must submit demolition and waste disposal plans to ensure the work is carried out safely and responsibly. He emphasized that waste disposal plans are crucial because some older buildings contain asbestos, which could cause further problems.

Binaru urged other building owners to submit their plans as soon as possible to expedite the demolition process. He also stated that if owners do not take responsibility, the government can intervene to handle the matter according to the law. Lesly Vairemato, Director General of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, noted, "Under the Physical Planning Act, if a building is deemed unsafe, PVCC has the authority to demolish it. If owners do not come forward, the city council will take action, but for now, we are waiting for owners to cooperate."

Cherol Ala, Director General of the Prime Minister's Office and Chair of the Recovery Operations Centre (ROC), stated that a deadline will be set for building owners who do not proactively submit demolition plans. Meanwhile, Lionel Kaluat, Secretary General of the Shefa Provincial Government Council (SPGC), said they will meet to decide on the demolition of the damaged Wang's Shop, located outside the CBD. Binaru urged people to avoid the road behind the Tagabe building, as the building could collapse at any time. He stated that the engineering subcommittee will close the road and prohibit public access.

All private building owners are required to hire contractors and bear the cost of demolition themselves. The government will oversee the demolition process to ensure compliance with safety and environmental standards. This measure aims to eliminate safety hazards caused by the earthquake as soon as possible and restore normal order to the city.