The Port Vila City Council has issued a public apology to residents following the ongoing rubbish collection crisis affecting the capital, particularly during the festive season.
Speaking on behalf of the Office of the Town Clerk and the Lady Mayor, Acting Deputy Clerk Ms Georgina Faerua Tari acknowledged the frustration faced by residents and businesses as waste piled up across the city.
Ms Tari said the festive season traditionally results in a significant increase in waste generation due to celebrations, public gatherings, and increased activity at homes, businesses and kava bars. She added that the situation was made worse by public holidays, reduced staffing levels and contractors operating on limited schedules during the holiday period.
“The Port Vila City Council regrets the situation and sincerely apologises to the citizens of Port Vila. We understand the inconvenience this rubbish crisis has caused, and we want to assure the public that we are working hard to resolve it,” Ms Tari said.
She explained that the Council is currently facing staffing constraints, which have contributed to delays in rubbish collection. To address this, the Council has engaged local contractors to support existing municipal teams, particularly in rubbish collection and landfill operations.
Ms Tari said Council officials met with rubbish contractors this week to reinforce expectations and ensure contractual obligations are met. She thanked the contractors for their efforts and reminded them of the importance of collecting rubbish according to scheduled days.
“We are confident that with these measures in place, the rubbish backlog will be managed over the coming days and weeks. Our aim is to have the situation under control before the new school year begins,” she said.
Ms Tari also clarified misinformation, confirming that the Etas landfill remains open. She said the landfill operates daily from 7:00am to 3:00pm, and closures only occur after hours when staff return to Port Vila.
She urged households and businesses transporting waste to the landfill to follow instructions provided by officers on site, dispose of rubbish only in designated areas, and respect landfill management rules to help maintain order and safety.
The Council also plans to introduce new landfill management policies to improve control and efficiency, which will be implemented once endorsed by Council.
Under the current arrangement, three local contractors are responsible for rubbish collection in the following areas:
- Ohlen and Freshwota
- Tassiriki and Nambatu Lagoon
- Nambatu and Namba Tri areas
Meanwhile, the Port Vila City Council’s municipal team will continue to manage waste collection within Port Vila city and the Namburu Ward.
The Port Vila City Council has called on residents and businesses to cooperate during this period, stressing that effective waste management is a shared responsibility.
