Ministry of internal Affairs Compound, independence Park, Port Vila
+678 33210
DLA@vanuatu.gov.vu
Mon - Fri 8:00 - 17:00

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Provinces

There are six Provinces in Vanuatu – Torba, Sanma, Penama, Malampa and Tafea. In 1994, the Government abolished the 11 Local Government Councils (LGC) and reverted to a policy of greater regional autonomy through the creation of the current provincial system.  The six Provinces, each covering a group of islands, together with three Municipal Councils. The provinces play a crucial role in local governance and development. They are responsible for implementing national policies at the local level, promoting economic and social development, and ensuring the provision of essential services such as education, healthcare, and infrastructure. Each province facilitates community engagement, supports respective Area Councils, and manages resources to meet the unique needs of their communities.

Each provinces have a Provincial Government council that is responsible for local governance and administration. Each council consist of elected representatives as councilors and the number of each provinces varies depending on the provinces size and population. Each respective council is headed by a President who is elected by the council members. The president oversees the council meetings and represent the provinces in national matters.

There are five DLA seconded staff serving in each 6 Provinces. The Secretary Generals (SG) are the chief executive officers at the Provincial level and are responsible to administer all Government and Non-government services within each respective Provinces and the day-to-day operations of the Provincial Government Councils (PGC). The office of SG is supported by an Assistant Secretary General, Provincial Planner, Accountant and Treasurer and PGC staff that are recruited by the council.

Province Fact Sheet

Name of Provinces

Flag

Islands

Location of Head Quarter

No. of Councilors

No. of Area Councils

Provincial Days

Torba

Banks Islands and Torres Group

Sola, Vanua Lava

7

9

2nd October

Sanma

Santo, Malo & Aore

Luganville, Santo

18

11

23rd September

Penama

Pentecost, Ambae & Maewo

Saratamata, East Ambae

16

10

16th September

Malampa

Malekula, Ambrym & Paama

Lakatoro, Central Malekula

21

10

10th October

Shefa

Shepherds Islands, Epi, Efate,

Port Vila, Efate

17

19

18th June

Tafea

Tanna, Aneityum, Futuna, Erromango & Aniwa

Isangel, West Tanna

19

12

8th October
  1. The Provincial Anthems can be Downloaded Below.

Director's Message

Greetings to you all,

It gives me great pleasure to welcome you all to the official website of the Department of Local Authorities (DLA).

The Department of Local Authorities (DLA) sits within the portfolio of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MoIA). The Department is a government agency responsible for administering, managing and enforcing the principal legislation (Decentralization Act-CAP 230) related to the Provincial Government Councils and Area Councils.

DLA’s official website has been created to facilitate the dissemination of information as a means of achieving our vision and mission.  

We remain steadfast in our efforts to create an environment that supports our Sub-National Governments through sound technical advice, legal guidance, and continuous administrative support in a way that allows them to continue to improve public services and promote economic prosperity in a sustainable, resilient and efficient manner.

We have entered 2024 with renewed optimism and determination, and trust in our ability to develop solutions that can help change the narrative of our Provincial and Area Councils.

I encourage you all to actively engage with the department and share with us your ideas, recommendations and any feedbacks.

Tankio tumas,

Mr. Ian Nakou Abbil
Director
Department of Local Authorities

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Our Team

Currently the Department of Local Authorities has about 100 officers, including national, provincial and area council staff

DLA Staff in Head Office

Ian Abbil

Director

Michelle Jonas Trief

Deputy Director

Ben Tabi

Manager Decentralization

Geormy Takau

Principal Finance Officer

Sebastian Bule

Principal Regional Development Planning Officer

Raywin Bani Sakari

Administration Manager

Devo Wari

Senior Decentralisation and Policy Officer

Jeffry Yapon

Senior Finance Officer North

Christina Kenneth

Senior Finance officer South

David Kaenbo

Senior Development Planning Officer South

Meriam David

Office Assistant

Rina Cyrus

Office Cleaner

Nakou Am

Driver

Ipeze Slee

Policy Unit Intern

Patrilla Pakoa Jimmy

Finance Unit Intern

Claude Daniel

Development and Planning Unit Intern

Denny Santhy

Development Planning Unit Intern

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Staff Listing

Name of Staff

Position

DLA staff Based in Port Vila

Mr. Ian Abbil

Director

Mrs. Michelle J. Trief

Deputy Director

Mr. Ben Tabi

Manager Decentralization

Mr. Geormy Takau

Principal Finance Officer

Mr. Sebastian Bule

Principal Regional Development Planning Officer

Ms. Devo Wari

Senior Decentralization Policy Officer

Mr. Jeffry Yapon

Senior Finance Officer North

Ms. Christina Kenneth

Senior Finance officer South

Mr. David Kaenbo

Senior Development Planning Officer

Mrs. Raywin Bani

Office Manager

Mrs. Meriam David

Assistant Office Manager

Mr. Nakou Am

Driver

Mrs. Rina Cyrus

Office Cleaner

 

 

DLA STAFFS BASED IN TORBA PROVINCE

Mr. Albert Ruddley

Secretary General – Torba Provincial Government Council

Mr. Mathew Walter Dung

Assistant Secretary – Torba Provincial Government Council

Mr. Ben Nehemiah

Planner - Torba Provincial Government Council

Mr. John Robert

Accountant - Torba Provincial Government Council

Ms. Jinet Glenda Rereman

Area Administrator – East Gaua Area Council

Mr. Luke Weul

Area Administrator – West Gaua Area Council

Mr. Dick Richard

Area Administrator – Torres Area Council

Mr. Jay Watson Gongeile

Area Administrator – Ureparapara Area Council

Mr. Bob Basil

Area Administrator – Mota Area Council

Mr. Frazer Tovovur

Area Administrator – Mota Lava Area Council

Mr. Mario Leo Woleg

Area Administrator – East Vanulava Lava Area Council

 

 

DLA STAFF BASED IN SANMA PROVINCE

Ms. Carol Rovo

Assistant Secretary General – Sanma Provincial Government Council

Mr. Othniel Bule

Planner - Sanma Provincial Government Council

Mr. Luciano Mahe

Accountant – Sanma Provincial Government Council

Mr. Malon Rasu

Area Administrator – East Malo Area Council

Mr. Alfred Viradingi

Area Administrator – West Malo Area Council

Mr. Kalfau Lum

Area Administrator – Canal Fanafo Area Council

Mr. John Nampus

Area Administrator – East Santo Area Council

Mr. Sul Neveservet

Area Administrator – South East Santo Area Council

Mr. Paul Mark Jamaran

Area Administrator – Big Bay inland Area Council

Mr. Samuel Kenneth

Area Administrator - West Coast Santo

Mr. Terry Daniel

Area Administrator – South Santo 2

Mr. Nelson Matavusi

Area Administrator – South Santo 1

 

 

DLA STAFFS BASED IN PENAMA

Mr. Moses Tiro Bani

Secretary General – Penama Provincial Government Council

Mr. Kelly Tabi

Assistant Secretary General – Penama Provincial Government Council

Mr. Tommy Kalven

Planner – Penama Provincial Government Council

Miss. Sheena Reveala

Accountant - Penama Provincial Government Council

Mr. Richard Tabi

Area Administrator – Central Pentecost 1 (Suru) Area Council

Mr. Densly Rasa

Area Administrator – South Maewo Area Council

Mr. Stephen Garae Toko

Area Administrator – South Ambae (Vatueulu) Area Council

Mr. Morris Tari

Area Administrator - East Ambae (Lungei Tagaro) Area Council

Mr. Jean Vianney Barang

Area Administrator – Central Pentecost 2 Area Council

Ms. Madelyn Toa

Area Administrator – North Maewo Area Council

Mr. Newman Tahigogona

Area Administrator – North Ambae Area Council

Mr. Johnny Bani

Area Administrator – West Ambae Area Council

Ms. Grace Hinge

Area Administrator – North Pentecost Area Council

 

 

DLA STAFFS BASED IN MALAMPA PROVINCE

Mr. Germain Ludvaune

Secretary General – Malampa Provincial Government Council

Mr. Stephen Kaveng

Planner - Malampa Provincial Government Council

Mr. Eric Tulman

Accountant - Malampa Provincial Government Council

 Mr. Leimang Lulu Victor

Area Administrator – South Malekula Area Council

Mr. Joselito Atpatum

Area Administrator – South East Malekula Area Council

Mr. Gerald Tamau

Area Administrator – South West Malekula Area Council

Mr. Jerryson Hosea

Area Administrator – North West Malekula Area Council

Mr. Sairos Willie

Area Administrator – Paama Area Council

Mr. Jackson Willie

Area Administrator – North Ambrym Area Council

Mr. Bong Massing

Area Administrator – West Ambrym Area Council

Mr. Masten Tias

Area Administrator – South East Ambrym Area Council

Ms. Joyce Malau

Area Administrator – Central Malekula Area Council

Mr. Jero Muluntura

Area Administrator – North East Malekula Area Council

 

 

DLA STAFFS BASED IN SHEFA PROVINCE

Mr. Lionel Kaluat

Secretary General – Shefa Provincial Government Councl

Ms. Liah John Kaltoi

Assistant Secretary General – Shefa Provincial Government Councl

Jimilton Tabi

Planner - Shefa Provincial Government Councl

Ghislane James

Accountant - Shefa Provincial Government Councl

Mrs. Sylvie Watt Ala

Area Administrator – North Efate Area Council

Mr. Allen Kalgai Sope

Area Administrator- Pango Area Council

Mr. Philip Dick

Area Administrator – Varsu Area Council

Mrs. Tousil Basil

Area Administrator – Vermaul Area Council

Mr. Joseph Tasaruru

Area Administrator – Yarsu Area Council

Mr. Thomas Billy

Area Administrator – Tongoa Area Council

Mr. Christopher Matariki

Area Administrator -  Emae Area Council

Mr. Donald Firiam

Area Administrator – Tongariki, Buninga Area Council

Ms. Janet Orah

Area Administrator – Vermali Area Council

Mr. Jacques Berry

Area Administrator – Makira/Mataso Area Council

Mr. Robson Misel

Area Administrator – Emau Area Council

Mr. John Roneth

Area Administrator – Nguna Area Council

Vacant

Area Administrator – North West Area Council

Mr. Jason Kalman

Area Administrator – Eratap Area Council

Mr. Freddy Hinge

Area Administrator – Erakor Area Council

Mr. Edward Kalsakau

Area Administrator – Ifira Area Council

Mr. Jacob James

Area Administrator – Tanvasako Area Council

Ms. Anne Marie Nalip

Area Administrator – Mele Area Council

 

 

DLA STAFFS BASED IN TAFEA PROVINCE

Mr. Joe Johnson Iati

Acting Secretary General – Tafea Provincial Government Council

Mr. Mr Kaldon Sam

Assistant Secretary General – Tafea Provincial Government Council

Mr. Jamesly Tavuti

Planner – Tafea Provincial Government Council

Mr. Jones Lokasu

Accountant – Tafea Provincial Government Council

Mr. Kenia Dick

Area Administrator – North Tanna Area Council

Mr. John Bill Charlie

Area Administrator – Central Tanna Area Council

Mr. Lui Alick Kawisil

Area Administrator – South West Tanna Area Council

Mr. Amon Jaffert

Area Administrator – South Tanna Area Council

Mr. Isso Nihmei

Area Administrator – Futuna Area Council

Miss. Davina Vira

Area Administrator – Aneityum Area Council

Mr. John Daniel

Area Administrator –South East Tanna Area Council

Mr. Francis Korisa

Area Administrator –West Tanna Area Council

Vacant

Area Administrator –East Tanna Area Council

Mr. Remy Nabil

Area Administrator –North Erromango Area Council

Vacant

Area Administrator –South Erromango Area Council

Mr. Lenon Lukon

Area Administrator –Anniwa Area Council

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Vision and Mission

Vision

The Department envisions a vibrant and resilient local authorities’ systems and structures in enabling effective and efficient service delivery and development to improve the livelihoods of communities across Vanuatu.

Mission

The Department of Local Authorities is committed to supporting, coordinating, and monitoring local authorities by providing technical assistance, legal guidance, and resources for financial management, regional development, planning, and daily operations through an effective decentralized system, procedures, and practices to enable efficient service delivery by the Local Authorities.

Objectives/Goals

The principle objective (goals) of the Department of Local Authorities (DLA) are:

    • Provide policy advice to the Provinces and Area Councils
    • Provide technical support in Regional Development Planning
    • Managing the Decentralization process and providing policy advice to the office of MOIA Minister and Director General on the Decentralization policy Direction
    • Provide assistance in managing acts under the jurisdiction of the Department and provinces
    • Litigating for the Provinces and Area Councils
    • Assist Provinces in strengthening their administrative capacity
    • Administrating grants to six (6) provincial Governments and 71 Area Councils

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What We Do

The Department of Local Authorities (DLA) sits within the portfolio of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MoIA). The Department is a government agency responsible for administering, managing and enforcing the principal legislation (Decentralization Act-CAP 230) related to the Provincial Government Councils and Area Councils. DLA is the key ad­vis­er to the Gov­ern­ment on mat­ters re­lat­ed to lo­cal au­thor­i­ties. The depart­ment is re­spon­si­ble for strength­en­ing the sus­tain­abil­i­ty, per­for­mance, in­tegrity, transparency and ac­count­abil­i­ty of lo­cal au­thor­i­ties. It op­er­ates through a mix of mon­i­tor­ing, inter­ven­tion, ca­pac­i­ty build­ing and co­or­di­na­tion ac­tiv­i­ties. DLA works col­lab­o­ra­tive­ly with local au­thor­i­ties to en­sure good gov­er­nance and ser­vice de­liv­ery to com­mu­ni­ties. The Department is arranged into several unit, each with responsibilities for different aspects of the Department mandate and operations and overall support to the Provincial Government councils and Area Councils. This Unit includes the office of the Director, Finance Unit, Decentralization Unit and Regional Planning and Development Unit

Office of the Director

The Director supported by the Deputy Director leads the activities of the Department and is responsible for the overall functioning of the Department and Provide the oversight over the Provinces and Area Councils. The office of Director is supported by the Administration staff which includes, the office Manager, Assistant Office Manager, Cleaner and Driver.

Decentralization Unit

The Decentralization unit is responsible to develops and proposes policies for the Department and Provincial Government by researching, reviewing existing policies, and suggesting improvements. The unit also coordinates the implementation of decentralization activities. It engages with stakeholders, including local authorities and NGOs, to gather input and foster collaboration, ensuring policies meet the needs of provinces and communities. The unit also supports capacity building by providing training and resources to local government officials and staff. The unit provides advisory support to the Director, Decentralization Working Committee (DWC), and Provincial Government Council, offering expert advice and recommendations on decentralization plans and policies.

There are two positions under this Unit. The Manager Decentralization that oversees the activities under this unit supported by the Senior Decentralization Policy officer.

Regional Development Planning Unit

The Regional Development and Planning Unit under DLA function to enhance and provide advice on the Provincial and Area Council Planning and support for the socio-economic development for the rural Vanuatu. The unit also supports capacity building through training and resources for the Area Councils on collections and analyses of data to inform decisions and bottom-up planning Approach. Additionally, it provides advisory support, offering expert advice and addressing challenges related to local development and planning to the office of Director and Provincial Government Council. The unit consists of four officers; the Principal Regional Development and Planning officer coordinate the functions of this unit and supported by Planning and Development officer North, Planning and Development officer South and Planning and Development officer Central.

Finance Unit

The Finance Unit is responsible to manages the financial operations of the Department and oversees the financial operations of the six Provinces by ensuring proper budgeting, accounting, and financial reporting. The unit oversees the allocation and utilization of funds, ensuring resources are used efficiently and in accordance with regulations. It also monitors expenditures, conducts financial audits, and provides financial advice to support decision-making at the Department, Provincial and Area Council level. Additionally, the unit is involved in providing and facilitating capacity training to the Provincial Accountants and Area Councils on the Government Financial systems and structures, financial management practices and ensuring transparency and accountability in all financial matters. There are 3 officers under this Unit. The Principal Finance officer is responsible to manage the unit and oversee the functions of this unit supported by Senior Finance officer North and Senior Finance officer South