Tanna Ferry owner’s vision for indigenous investors to jointly develop Tanna

September 28, 2024 10:37 pm | Posted in Business News | Share now TwitterFacebook

By Len Garae.

North Tanna businessman Mr. Peter Pata, the owner of Tanna Ferry, envisions indigenous investors developing Tanna.

“Our people must understand that foreign vessels take your money out of the country to invest it elsewhere. But with Tanna Ferry, at least the money we earn will stay here in Tanna to be reinvested for the development of our island,” he said. He called on other indigenous investors to unite in continuing to develop the island.

A passenger-packed Tanna Ferry poured out an unknown multitude of passengers at Lenakel Wharf on its first trip home to Tanna the previous Saturday morning. The passengers rushed ashore, blending into the vibrant atmosphere of the bustling Black Man Town Market.

Meanwhile, a rugged coastline was painted by approximately 3,000 Tannese dancing on the shore to a variety of beats and colours, amid the blaring horns of about fifty vehicles on a street so congested that police had to step in to direct traffic.

I had the privilege to witness this once-in-a-lifetime ceremony unfold in front of Blackman Town. T

he excitement for indigenous entrepreneur Mr. Pata, as he prioritised his island and people by purchasing the vessel and sending it home, was palpable. It was an event that will be remembered for years to come.

In his address, Mr. Pata himself mentioned that he did not expect such a large crowd to turn out to welcome Tanna Ferry. “I am moved because I did not expect this crowd today.

“This would be more fitting for a government or church ceremony,” he said.

“But I take this opportunity to thank my family, the people of Tanna, the Municipality and TAFEA Province, and the Central Government for their faith in me.”

He dismissed any notion of competition with Tanna Ferry, telling the crowd at the entrance to Laminu Stadium that his vision was to collaborate with other indigenous investors to develop the island.

He assured his people that apart from a plot of land he owns in Port Vila, all his other businesses are based in Tanna.

One ticket to travel on Tanna Ferry from Tanna to Port Vila costs VT8,500 for an adult, with affordable tickets for children and freight.

I was with a Transparency International Vanuatu team that spent a week on the island.

We travelled to Tanna on an ATR flight and were booked to return on the same flight a week later.

However, upon our arrival at Whitegrass Airport last Saturday, the airport was virtually empty.

Without providing any reason, the airline’s headquarters in Port Vila changed our booking to a Twin Otter, which flew us back to Port Vila.

It is likely that there were few people at the airport that Saturday morning because the majority of those who would have travelled to Port Vila chose to book Tanna Ferry instead of spending three times more for a plane ticket.