Gov’t and UNELCO extend water services to Etas Garden
May 19, 2025 9:53 pm | Posted in Business News | Share now TwitterFacebook
By Doddy Morris.
The Government of Vanuatu and utility provider UNELCO have officially signed the Etas Garden Addendum to the Port Vila Water Concession Contract.
The agreement, signed last week by the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Rick Tchamako Mahe, and UNELCO Managing Director Frédéric Petit, marks a breakthrough under the Vanuatu Affordable and Resilient Settlements (VARS) Project.
The Addendum formally extends the existing Port Vila Water Concession—originally established in 1993—to include the Etas Garden Subdivision, a newly developed residential area located southeast of Port Vila.
Etas Garden is part of a World Bank-supported initiative aimed at providing affordable, climate-resilient housing for low- and middle-income families. With over 130 individual lots, the subdivision is central to government efforts to address rapid urban growth, curb informal settlements, and improve access to essential services such as water, electricity, and sanitation.
“This agreement demonstrates our commitment to bringing vital services to our people and supporting sustainable urban growth in Port Vila. Etas Garden will be a model for future development, and we thank UNELCO for their partnership in making this possible,” said Minister Mahe at the signing.
Under the terms of the Addendum, UNELCO is granted exclusive rights to construct, maintain, and operate water supply infrastructure within Etas Garden. The new concession area has been carefully defined through collaboration between the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, the VARS Project team, and UNELCO.
UNELCO’s Managing Director, Frédéric Petit, welcomed the agreement and reaffirmed the company’s commitment to inclusive service delivery.
“UNELCO is proud to support the Government’s vision for inclusive and resilient development. We look forward to delivering clean and safe water to the residents of Etas Garden,” Petit said.
