No permit granted to operate Metro Night Club: Ombudsman Report
May 1, 2025 9:51 pm | Posted in Business News | Share now TwitterFacebook
By Anita Roberts.
The operation of the Metro Nightclub at Freshwota 2 area is unlawful due to no approved permit licence from the Port Vila City Council (PVCC), according to an Ombudsman Report released on Monday.
Lady Mayor Jenny Tasale Regenvanu and the former Mayor confirmed in the report that the council has not granted the nightclub owner any permit to operate in the residential area.
The nightclub is owned by popular businessman Sabi Natonga and is operating on a land lease belonging to Member of Parliament (MP) Anatole Hymak.
Hymak conveyed as evidence in the report that a rental agreement was prepared outlining that no activities disturbing the community would happen on the land, but Natonga refused to sign it.
He was questioned by PVCC has not stopped the nightclub from operating.
The Ombudsman found that Mr. Natonga’s action contradicts section 5 of the Physical Planning Act and to the terms and conditions of the rental agreement.
The Act requires him to obtain a permit prior to any development on the physical planning area.
Clause 3 of the rental agreement terms states that the land is to be used for residential purposes only and clause 4 does not allow any activity that could cause annoyance, nuisance, or trouble to neighbors or nearby property owners.
The owner of the nightclub did not provide a good reason for not signing the rental agreement.
He provided documents upon the Ombudsman’s request, but there was no permit approval of certificate for operation at Freshwota.
The report highlighted concerns from residents about loud noise, vulgar language, and drunk people trespassing into yards, causing disturbance and theft.
The nightclub opens around 8pm and close around 6am every day.
In their response, the current and former Mayor conveyed that no permit was also granted for Natonga’s bottle ship in town.
The former Mayor said he told the police and the Chief Warden to stop the nightclub but nothing was done.
The Ombudsman recommended that PVCC must shut down the Metro Night Cub immediately, MP Hymak terminate his tenant due to failure to sign a rental agreement, and that PVCC must report any interference in its decision-making process.
The Town Clerk, David Hopa, confirmed that the council has decided to shut down the nightclub, and has already served the owner with a letter.
