Rising vandalism and pollution prompt South Santo chiefs to appeal to public
February 3, 2026 10:13 pm | Posted in Business News | Share now TwitterFacebook
By Nicholas Mwai.
South Santo chiefs and local authorities are calling on visitors to respect newly developed infrastructure and keep rivers clean, following increasing cases of vandalism and rubbish dumping.
Chief Ronald Dieya of Najara Village, one of the paramount chiefs responsible for areas surrounding the Navaka River and the country’s longest bridge, has raised serious concerns over graffiti on bridges and pollution in rivers as more people travel to South and Southwest Santo.
With improved road access and the construction of 11 main bridges now connecting Southwest Santo to the south and to Luganville, the areas have seen a sharp rise in weekend visitors coming to enjoy scenic river views and experience the longest bridge in Vanuatu.
However, Chief Dieya said the growing number of visitors has also brought new challenges.
“I came across graffiti on the bridge last week and raised concerns during our meeting,” Chief Dieya said.
He even confronted nearby residents to ask if they knew who was responsible for the vandalism.
Chief Dieya appealed directly to the public, urging visitors to treat the bridges and rivers with respect.
“Now that I can tell it to the public, visitors and citizens of South and Southwest Santo — when you come to enjoy the beauty of the river and the bridge, please respect them,” he said.
He warned that rubbish thrown into rivers not only pollutes local waters but can also be carried out to sea.
“Don’t throw rubbish in the river. People come and swim there, and maybe you will swim there again one day when you return, so please keep it clean,” he added.
Chief Dieya said while the river remained clean when road access was difficult in the past, rubbish has now become a growing issue, particularly in the Navaka River.
“In the past when the road was bad, the river was clean. But now that the bridge and road are made, we find a lot of rubbish in the river,” he said.
He also stressed that vandalism on bridges threatens the tourism value of the sites.
“It’s not even a year yet, and people have started to spoil it. Keep it clean so we can enjoy it in the future,” Chief Dieya said.
The chief also urged the public to look after road signs and other infrastructure, warning that damage could lead to accidents.
“We have been crying for a good road for many years, and now that the work is going on, please look after the road signs and bridges,” he said.
“Don’t damage road signs because it may cause accidents. Small things can lead to bigger things.”
The South Santo Area Council Administration also issued a statement on their Facebook page, thanking community members and partners for helping restore the vandalised bridge at Navaka.
“We take this time to come out and say a big thank you to the NBV officer of South Santo (Santo 1 Branch), the Area Council Administration, and some community members for their support in helping us paint over the writings that some people had made on the bridge at Navaka,” the statement said.
The council reminded the public that the bridges have already been officially handed over to the Vanuatu Government, and local communities now share responsibility for protecting them.
“It is time for us to help the government by taking up responsibility and looking after what we have,” the administration said.
The Area Council confirmed it will continue monitoring the bridges, and further vandalism will be dealt with by repainting affected areas.
Officials also announced that notices and rubbish bins will soon be installed at popular sites.
“If you see any notice at any site you visit, please read it and follow what it says,” the council added.
Local leaders say South Santo’s improved connectivity brings major opportunities for tourism and development, but they are urging everyone — residents and visitors alike — to act responsibly to protect the environment and infrastructure for future generations.
