The Australian and New Zealand Government-funded Vanuatu Land Program provides practical assistance to the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources.
Through support provided by the Vanuatu Land Program and utilising funding provided by New Zealand, a number of pieces of survey equipment have been procured for the Department of Lands’ Survey and Mapping Section, headed by the Surveyor General. Three GPS receivers, a total station theodolite and a digital level have been provided.
In a sector that has witnessed rapid technological advancement over the past decade or so, it is essential that government agencies and departments tasked with carrying out efficient and accurate surveys have access to modern equipment. Given the proposed infrastructure projects that will be taking place in and around Port Vila in the near future, this equipment will be invaluable in facilitating these activities as well as other infrastructure projects in other parts of Vanuatu.
The equipment, which has been supplied by Total Survey Systems Pty Ltd of New South Wales, Australia, was officially handed over to the Department of Lands on Monday 3rd February. The handover ceremony took place at the George Pompidou Building and was attended by the Minister of Lands, the Acting Australian High Commissioner and the New Zealand Development Counsellor. In addition to supplying equipment, Total Survey Systems are providing five days training to Survey and Mapping Section staff. The training will include both theoretical and practical aspects of using the equipment and will further enhance the Section’s human resource capacity.
The Government of Vanuatu is very appreciative of the ongoing and continuing support of the Australian and New Zealand Governments towards the land sector, provided through the Vanuatu Land Program. The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has committed itself to continuing to broaden and strengthen the reforms in this sector, and to improve its service delivery to the nation, in this year 2014.