If my building is GREEN, or WHITE or Category 3 – can I go and work there now while the zone is still red and the CBD is closed?
No you cannot. All buildings in the CBD will require a new occupancy permit and this will only be provided following MIPU receiving a new detailed engineering report for each building by an engineer (The engineer must be registered in Vanuatu, certified and have liability insurance.) and the zone the building is in being opened by the Government. Without a new 2025 occupancy permit and the zone being opened it is not possible for you to work from any building in the red zone.
I am unsure if my building is in the red zone, how can I check?
To look up the status of your building, please see the information HERE. Note the initial rapid assessment is not a final assessment or right to occupy buildings. It simply enables prioritization which is important for ensuring that initial focus is on buildings that are a risk to public safety.
I am a business in a building and unsure if the owner has completed necessary steps? Can I check this somewhere?
The best way to do this is directly with the building owner or who you have your lease with (real estate agent).
Who will pay for the detailed engineering report that MIPU is now requiring of building owners?
The building owner needs to pay for this. If insured, you may reach out to insurance companies to ask if they will cover this cost. To confirm costs, speak to your engineer.
What do I do if the list showing building category has the wrong category for my building?
Please contact MIPU representatives Raviky Talae ravikytalae@gmail.com 5456811 or Junior Shim George gjunior@vanuatu.gov.vu 5300132 and provide your engineering certificate.
How long will it take until the CBD or my zone is opened?
Because this requires category 1 & 2 buildings to be safely dealt with, it is not yet clear what exact timelines will be. The Government is following up with insurance companies and building owners to confirm their plans and timelines for vital actions such as demolition and other safety measures. Each zone will differ depending on how quickly the key problem buildings are dealt with. As and when further information is available it will be shared by VCCI.
Why can’t we just move town to another location?
Because this requires significant investment that is not currently available to build new buildings and will take much longer than dealing with the problematic buildings and reopening the Port Vila CBD.
How will we know it is safe to work in Port Vila city?
All of the government authorities are working on a safety first policy. They are engaged with specialists from many donor countries and doing all they can to ensure that correct and up to date safety information is guiding all decisions.
How do I manage my insurance claim?
Please contact your insurance company directly and follow their process. It may be wise to follow up regularly especially if you are a category 1 building.
Is the Government going to compensate businesses for the time they are not allowed into buildings in town that are safe?
VCCI is liaising on this and encouraging finance to make appropriate budgets available. The situation is more complex given elections and the current formation of a government which will hold up budget approvals until approximately March 2025.
Is the seafront going to open soon?
It is our understanding that this zone has been deemed ‘safe’ by overseas engineers working with the Government. This is one part of the zone, so all of the zone needs to be cleared before it will be opened. We will share more specific information as it is made available.
If my building is cat 3, and I have submitted my engineering assessment to MIPU why do I then still have to wait for the zone to open? How do I know which zone I am in?
While your building is safe, others around it may not be. For example the buildings immediately next to Lolam house are affected by the measures needed to make lolam house safe first, before they can then re-enter their buildings. So your building being safe is not the only safety consideration. The Zones will be defined soon and communicated (this work is not yet completed).