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Welcome back to another episode of Taem Blo Storian! Thanks everyone for tuning in. Mavuku, Hilaire — good to have you both back. Good to be here, Harry. It’s been a hectic week, especially with the Commission of Inquiry report and the ongoing basketball discussions. Yes, and I’m heading north with the Australian High Commission for a community visit — opening a new health centre in the Banks group. It’s an important project for the locals there, and it’ll improve access to basic services. That’s really encouraging. Health infrastructure in the islands is always an issue, so it’s good to see some progress there. Now, let’s start with what everyone’s been talking about: the Commission of Inquiry into the passport program. The COI Report and Transparency Mavuku, you caught up recently with former Prime Minister Ishmael Kalsakau. What did he have to say about the COI report? Yes, I met Ishmael at Coco & Co last week. We talked for about an hour, and I asked him ten questions directly related to the inquiry into the sale of Vanuatu passports. He was very open — calm, measured, but serious about the issue. He said the report isn’t about pointing fingers or political revenge. It’s about cleaning up the citizenship system, which he said has been “abused for too long.” He explained that the Development Support Program (DSP) and Capital Investment Immigration Plan (CIIP) were designed to bring income to the government. But over time, the system became a loophole for corruption. Money was being made, but not all of it was accounted for. That’s why he believes the findings of the COI must be respected and acted upon. Yes, a lot of people are eager to know exactly what’s in that report. There are rumours about illegal sales of diplomatic passports and misuse of government authority. Parliament has already discussed it, and police complaints have reportedly been filed against some agents. The people just want clarity now. Do you think Ishmael wants the report made public? Definitely. He told me transparency is the only way forward. Whether you’re a big man or small man, the truth must come out. He said keeping it secret only creates more speculation and mistrust among the public. The COI wasn’t done for politics; it was done to restore confidence in the citizenship program, which has been a big revenue earner for the country. I agree with that. The government can’t just sit on the findings. If there are names mentioned, actions must follow — not just talk. Because once the people lose confidence, it’s hard to rebuild it again. Independent Review and Accountability I heard Ishmael also mentioned the idea of an independent review committee? Yes, he did. He said it’s important that any follow-up from the COI be handled by a truly independent committee — people with no political or business interest in the outcome. But that’s the challenge. In a small country like Vanuatu, independence is complicated. Everyone is connected somehow — through family, religion, or custom. So finding a team that’s genuinely neutral will be difficult but necessary. That’s the truth. Independence doesn’t mean being perfect, but it means being honest. If we can find people who have integrity and aren’t afraid to make tough calls, then we can move forward properly. Otherwise, it’ll just be another report that sits on a shelf. And Ishmael quoted the Constitution too, right? Yes. He referred to Article 27, which talks about parliamentary privilege. He explained that MPs are protected for what they say or how they vote in Parliament — that’s their right. But that protection doesn’t extend outside of Parliament. So, if any illegal activity happens outside those walls, that’s a criminal matter. It was his way of saying that accountability must apply equally, no matter who’s involved. Illegal Fishing and Maritime Security Now, moving offshore — let’s talk about illegal fishing in Vanuatu’s waters. Hilaire, what’s the current situation? It’s still a major concern. Our Exclusive Economic Zone is huge — one of the largest in the Pacific — and full of valuable tuna stocks. But monitoring it properly costs a lot. Right now, we have around 23 registered fishing vessels, but most are inactive because of maintenance or fuel costs. That means foreign fleets are doing most of the fishing, and we rely on licence fees and surveillance partnerships to keep track. And we’ve had help from regional partners too, right? Yes. We work closely with Australia, France, and the Pacific Community. For example, last year Australian aircraft helped patrol the southern parts near Matthew and Hunter islands. They spotted vessels operating suspiciously close to our borders. The problem is, even when we identify illegal activities, enforcement is slow. Fines can be issued, but collecting them and prosecuting cases is another story. That’s what Ishmael also pointed out — the need for stronger enforcement. It’s not enough to just identify the problem. If foreign vessels are taking our resources illegally, then we’re losing millions in potential revenue. That money could fund schools, health centres, and even better maritime equipment. Exactly. The Fisheries Department needs more support — both funding and manpower. Even sending officers for one inspection can cost up to VT100,000. Without resources, the law means nothing. Education and Baldwin Lonsdale School Speaking of schools, Mavuku, you mentioned something about Baldwin Lonsdale School earlier this week. Yes, one of our reporters visited Sola, and the report that came back was honestly heartbreaking. The Baldwin Lonsdale School — named after one of our most respected Presidents — is in a terrible state. Roof panels are missing, walls have holes, and classrooms have no windows or doors. Students are learning in unsafe conditions, sometimes even during heavy rain. I’ve seen that too. It’s the only major school in that part of the Banks Islands. It serves hundreds of children, many of whom travel long distances or stay in dormitories. The state of the facilities doesn’t reflect the honour of the man it’s named after. Baldwin Lonsdale stood for integrity, leadership, and service. The school should represent those same values. Have there been any commitments from the government to fix it? So far, none that I’ve heard of. The local community is doing what they can — parents and chiefs have been trying to raise funds — but they can’t do it alone. The Ministry of Education really needs to step in and prioritise it. It’s not just about fixing one school. It’s about showing respect to a leader who dedicated his life to the country. When a school that carries his name falls apart, it sends a bad message about our national pride. Basketball, Football and the Media Before we wrap up, let’s touch on sports. Basketball’s been making headlines too. Yes, the recent loss to New Caledonia was hard for the team. But beyond the result, it highlights the need for better coordination between the teams and the media. Too often, there’s a gap in communication. The media can only report what’s available. If teams are open with us, we can tell a fuller story — not just the scores, but the journey and the spirit behind it. That’s right. Sports and media need each other. When journalists understand the story behind the athletes, they help build public support. The same applies to football — we’re preparing for the Melanesian Prime Ministers’ Cup next month, and media coordination will be key. And we have the professional football league launching soon too, right? Yes, in January. It’ll feature a mix of local and international players — about 15 from Vanuatu and a few from overseas. The goal is to lift the standard of local football and give players proper contracts and exposure. And don’t forget the futsal champions, Southern Legend. They’re heading to Fiji next week for the OFC Futsal Champions League. That’s another proud moment for Vanuatu sports. Yes, it shows that even with limited resources, our teams still compete with heart and determination.
