Graffiti on the newly built Nauneban Bridge in South Santo has prompted calls for communities to take greater responsibility in protecting government-funded infrastructure.

South Santo Area 2 Administrator and Vanuatu Climate Resilient Transport Project stakeholder Terry Daniel said he was disappointed to see writing and graffiti on the bridge, despite the project not having been handed over to the Government for a full year.

VBTC News witnessed several markings and writings on the bridge over the weekend.

“I passed by and saw it, and I was not happy. The project is not even fully completed, and the bridge has not been handed over for a year yet, but we are already seeing writing on it. It shows that we, as people, are not taking proper care of the project.”

Daniel said the bridge was built to benefit communities that had struggled with poor road conditions for decades.

“This bridge has come to improve our lives. We have struggled with this road for 30 years, and now we have achieved these projects. Please, let us take care of them so that the Government can continue to bring more projects to our communities.”

A Nauneban landowner also condemned the vandalism, saying such behaviour should not be tolerated.

“I think the Area Council should gather the people and talk to them because this kind of behaviour must stop.”

Daniel is calling on people in South Santo Area 2 and the West Malo Area Council to work with chiefs and community leaders to address the issue, particularly among young people and visitors to the area.

He said communities must recognise their responsibility to protect public infrastructure, warning that this is the second time similar damage or vandalism has occurred under the South Santo road project.