Over VT21M security equipment for Port Vila Airport
November 13, 2024 9:52 pm | Posted in Business News | Share now TwitterFacebook
By Doddy Morris.
Over VT21 million worth of security equipment, including CCTV surveillance systems, has been donated to the Port Vila International Airport, to improve border risk monitoring and rehabilitate the CCTV room.
The handover ceremony happened this week at the Holiday Inn Resort, conducted by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Pacific Office in Fiji, in partnership with the Government of Japan, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the Migration Information and Data Analysis System (MIDAS).
According to UNDP, this latest initiative builds on the establishment of the Japan Government-supported Integrated Border Management Project, which has brought together key border management stakeholders in Vanuatu, including national security, internal affairs, immigration, health, customs, and other agencies, since 2021.
“Following comprehensive consultations with border agencies in June 2023, the project identified critical action points focused on enhanced maritime security and strengthened point-of-entry controls. The implementation of these action points culminates in today’s handover of security cameras and related equipment, marking a significant step forward in border control and criminal risk mitigation,” said UNDP.
The Chief Executive Officer of Airports Vanuatu, Jason Rakau, highlighted that the main focus was on installing CCTV systems throughout Port Vila Airport, the country’s primary gateway. The process is nearing completion.
“We already have CCTV cameras installed throughout the airport; however, they don’t cover all the areas we’d like to monitor. This project is helping us with cabling, supplying additional CCTV cameras and monitoring screens, and setting up a control room. We’re in the process of procuring all the necessary equipment to complete this project,” said Rakau.
“The comprehensive CCTV system will provide real-time monitoring of key areas within the airport, including terminals, entrances, baggage handling areas, and critical infrastructure. This enhanced surveillance will enable authorities to detect and respond promptly to any security breaches or suspicious activities.”
Rakau said the CCTV system will monitor criminal activities such as theft, vandalism, and unauthorized access, and will act as valuable evidence for investigations, aiding law enforcement in identifying perpetrators and gathering necessary information.
“The installation of a comprehensive CCTV system at Port Vila Airport is a significant investment in strengthening border security, enhancing operational efficiency, and safeguarding the interests of passengers, airlines, and stakeholders,” he added.
Japanese Ambassador to Vanuatu, Naohisa Okuda, remarked that the equipment, valued at around VT21 million, stands as a testament to Vanuatu’s commitment to advancing border management.
“The UNDP’s Integrated Border Management Project, launched in November 2021, targets three Pacific island countries: Vanuatu, Palau, and Fiji. This three-year project has empowered border agencies to adopt effective health protocols, support pandemic readiness, and ensure continuous, safe operations,” he said.
“The project initially focused on developing policies and guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19. As Pacific countries lifted border restrictions, the need for safe and efficient border control policies grew. Consequently, key ministries, including the Ministry of Health, coordinated an integrated approach to border management.
He noted that the UNDP’s project has enhanced collaboration and information-sharing among key border management actors, strengthened data management, improved inter-agency cooperation, and fostered cross-regional collaboration, thereby facilitating the efficient movement of travelers and cargo while reducing criminal risks.
He thanked the other partners for their collaboration in the project, and reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to supporting the modernization and capacity-building or border management agencies in Vanuatu.
