The Torres Area Council has officially received the keys to its new office building this week, marking a major milestone for local governance and decentralisation in Torba Province.

The GEF and UNDP, under the VCAP II Project managed by the Ministry of Climate Change, formally handed over the new council office to the Area Administrator of Torres.

After years of operating from makeshift office spaces, including using baskets as temporary offices, this new building now provides the Torres Area Council with a permanent and proper workspace.

Speaking at the handover, Ben Nehemiah, Planner for Torba Province, delivering remarks on behalf of the Minister responsible for Internal Affairs, said the opening represents “the door to new opportunities” for the people of Torres.

“It shows strong collaboration between authorities in making this vision a reality. It symbolises new opportunities and growth for the people of Torres,” he said.

UNDP Country Area Programme Manager, Sherryl Mahina, noted that this is the third such project launched after similar openings in West Coast Epi and another location.

“Inside the building are materials to help strengthen local governance and bring decentralisation closer to the community,” she said.

Senior Monitoring and Evaluation Officer for Climate Change, Johnny Nimau, said projects like this are designed to help build resilience in local communities.

“Developments like these strengthen resilience to cyclones and enhance community capacity,” he said.

The new office, valued at around 17 million vatu, was funded through the GEF-UNDP VCAP II Project under the Ministry of Climate Change.