The Government of Vanuatu in Partnership with the Australian Government and Asian Development Bank (ADB) are proud to fund the Port Vila Urban Development Project as one of the major investment in the nation's capital.The Port Vila Urban Development Project (PVUDP) will contribute to sustainable urban development in Port Vila through improved road, drainage, sanitation infrastructure and services. The Project duration is from 13 February 2013 to 31st December 2017 and has four major outputs.
Summary
Output 1
The Government has improved the road network and drainage system in greater Port Vila. This output will comprise;
- repair, improvements and/or renewal of roads with curbs, footpaths, and other essential road features; and
- provision of a new storm water drainage system and improvement of existing drains in the highest priority flood prone areas together with new channels. A total of 7 square kilometers of drainage basins in five catchment areas will be supported for road and drainage improvements. Approximately 13.3 kilometers of roads will be rehabilitated within these five catchment areas.
The project will install grease and silt traps but its scope and design will be open to incorporate additional measures that will allow further treatment of storm water runoff. During the detailed design, the extent of environmental impacts will be examined and further appropriate actions will be recommended.
Progress Update
The PVUD Project has three components:
Component 1: The Government has improved road networks and drainage systems George Kalsakau Drive (GKD) Construction contract was signed on 4th September 2015 and major works have been completed, providing a concrete pavement for 301m of George Kalsakau Drive. A practical completion certificate dated 16th January 2017 for the George Kalsakau Drive contract has been issued and GKD is now fully operational. The contractor however is still to address all minor defects noted in the Certificate of Practical Completion Defects List. Contract negotiations with the only substantially responsive bidder for the GKD Concourse contract with the preferred contractor is ongoing. If a contract is successfully negotiated and awarded by 14th June 2017, the GKD concourse works should be completed by December 2017. . Roads and Drainage Contract on this phase was signed on 10th February 2016 with the preferred contractor with the original completion date of November 2017. The contractor has completed most kerbs, footpaths, driveways, bus bays and drainage works along Kumul Highway between SMET junction and past European Corner in front of the New Zealand High Commission. Some two-coat bitumen sealing works between Tebakor and European Corner remains outstanding. Drainage works between European Corner and USP are continuing. Works are proceeding during day and night, and this length of the road is expected to be completed by the end June 2017. RMS are also completing the investigation of services location beyond the Tropical Market roundabout, and services potholing is continuing towards the Wharf Road intersection. Estimated completion rate of Phase 1 works under PVUDP is 26% with the expected completion date of 31st December 2017.Output 2
- The Government has improved sanitation system in greater Port Vila. This output will improve the disposal and treatment of sludge from domestic and commercial septic tanks through improving the management of the privately operated sludge collection and disposal system;
- design and construction of a sludge treatment plant (STP) and disposal facility;
- transfer of the sludge disposal site from its current location in Bouffa to a new site for disposal and treatment of sludge (which will also be the site for a full-scale sewage treatment in the future); and
- construction of a biogas plant as a clean development mechanism (CDM) project. The STP will be the first-ever sludge treatment plant and a first step toward a piped sewerage system. The STP will be designed to include a biogas plant to generate electricity through capture of methane, with potential for earning carbon credits.
Progress Update
Works began on 1st of February 2016. The works include 2 septage lagoons at Bouffa Landfill site to the east of Port Vila. Construction of the STF was completed on the 1 April 2017 The Operations and maintenance (O&M) of the STF remains a concern to the GoV with the facility to be handed over to PVMC upon completion of construction. The contractors, Downers, have been asked to consider a variation to provide gatekeeper and maintenance services for a period of 12 months to allow more permanent arrangements to be established with the PVMC. The contractors have also provided a proposed variation cost which is currently under negotiation.
Output 3
Central area and settlement communities use improved hygiene facilities.This output will (i) set up a number of multipurpose, multi-user (MPMU) sanitation facilities including toilets, washing and bathing facilities in villages and peri-urban settlements, selected on the basis of a demonstrated need and willingness by the community to contribute to the operation and maintenance (O&M) of facilities; (ii) upgrade, rebuild, or refurbish public toilets, principally in the city center and located at major publicly owned sporting facilities; and (iii) involve women in site selection and design of sanitation facilities and maintenance activities.
Progress Update
The signing of the construction contract of sanitation facilities occurred in April 2016. The communities that will benefit from this contract are Mele Waisisi, Blacksands Tongariki, Seaside Paama, Seaside Tongoa, and Seaside Futuna. The construction at Mele Waisisi is 80% complete and Blacksands Tongariki is 85% complete. The current completion date is 10th July 2017. An opening ceremony for the Seaside buildings was held on 31st May 2017.
Construction of semi-private Sanitation Facilities will commence in 2017 at Tokyo Buninga and Ohlen Nabanga, with the project providing materials, tools, and construction supervision, and the community providing the construction labor. Tenders for construction of Public Sanitation Facilities at Fatumaru Bay Park, Independence Park, Port Vila Hospital, and the CBD Fruit and Vegetable Market were released in April 2017 and bid documents were closed on 6th June 2017. Tenders will be evaluated in early June 2017 before a preferred contractor could be selected. The target completion of these facilities is April 2018.Output 4
Government agencies and community and user organizations have the capacity to effectively and efficiently manage sanitation, roads and drainage systems. Training programs will be implemented on
- planning and policy improvement in hygiene and sanitation, drainage and road development such as the sanitation policy, building code, public roads act and traffic management act;
- monitoring, and quality control of urban road networks and sanitation and drainage facilities;
- contract management under public-private partnership;
- hygiene and health education and awareness for community organizations; and
- household sanitation improvement with direct involvement and participation of women and youth. An O&M plan will be developed for the project assets in consultation with other development partners, key government agencies and the private sector, and with due consideration of lessons learned from other projects and for wider application. The project will also provide specific training on
- gender awareness in hygiene and sanitation for government agencies and community and user organizations, and
- management and maintenance of communal sanitation facilities for women and youth groups as part of the project strategy for local employment generation.
Progress Update
Institutional Strengthening. Capacity Building at Ministry of Infrastructure and Public Utilities/Public Works Department and Vanuatu Project Management Unit is progressing with the engagement of a Project Management Advisor and National Project Manager at Vanuatu Project Management Unit. Training, workshops and campaigns on hygiene and health is progressing well in targeted communities.
Loan Agreement Documents.
Download the PVUDP Factsheet below (provided and distributed by Ausaid-Vanuatu office);
Port Vila is the commercial and tourist center for Vanuatu. Although Port Vila's population has grown by 400% since independence, there has been limited Urban Planning and major infrastructure since then.
The Project will;
- Investment and tourism
- improve traffic flow
- make Port Vila healthier and safer
- protect environment, including the harbor and lagoon
