NATIONAL TABU ERIA & BIO-DIVERSITY SYMPOSIUM 2026

The Tabu Area and Biodiversity Symposium officially opened today with Hon. Ralph Regenvanu, Minister of Climate Change, joining Sanma custom chiefs in a custom ceremony to mark the opening of the event.

Opening Remarks – Sanma Provincial Government Council Official Webpage 2

Opening Remarks – Sanma Provincial Government Council Official Webpage

A warm and sincere welcome to every visitor accessing the official webpage of the Sanma Provincial Government Council.

This official digital platform has been purposefully established as a core public communication and development governance tool, fully aligned with Vanuatu’s National Sustainable Development Plan (NSDP) 2030 vision and strategic priorities. Rooted in the national framework’s three core pillars of inclusive society, ecological resilience and sustainable economic growth, this webpage serves as the transparent bridge connecting our provincial government, local area councils, village communities, private sector enterprises, development donors, international funding partners, and every citizen of Sanma Province. It centralizes authoritative information, standardized development data, and interactive public dialogue channels, breaking information barriers and uniting all stakeholders toward coordinated provincial progress.

Information and Communications Technology (ICT) stands as a transformative, empowering force for Sanma’s inclusive and forward-looking development. As mandated by Vanuatu’s national digital transformation agenda and NSDP 2030 policy objectives to expand public digital services, this digital platform unlocks long-term benefits for our province, future generations, and local businesses. For our communities, it delivers timely public service updates, development project progress reports, and civic engagement opportunities, ensuring grassroots voices shape local governance. For emerging and established local businesses, it provides transparent market information, policy guidance, and investment exposure, fostering a vibrant and competitive provincial commercial ecosystem. For our youth and future generations, it builds a foundation of digital literacy, open information access, and inclusive development awareness, cultivating capable human resources for Sanma’s long-term prosperity.

Beyond public engagement and information dissemination, this platform functions as a robust institutional performance appraisal and accountability mechanism for Sanma’s provincial governance ecosystem. It systematically tracks, evaluates, and showcases the service delivery efficiency, policy implementation outcomes, and project execution performance of all provincial government sectors. By standardizing public reporting and data disclosure, it strengthens internal administrative accountability, drives continuous improvement in public service quality, and ensures our governance actions remain aligned with community needs and national development targets.

Furthermore, this digital portal serves as Sanma Province’s global showcase and investment gateway. It enables international donors and development partners to comprehensively understand our provincial development roadmap, priority projects, resource needs, and governance capabilities, building trust and facilitating targeted, sustainable development cooperation. Most importantly, it creates a reliable virtual connection for external large-scale investors, paving the way for tangible on-the-ground investment presence, industrial cooperation, and economic expansion in Sanma Province. It bridges local development potential with global resources and opportunities, accelerating our journey toward diversified and resilient economic growth.

Guided by our provincial development ambition, we uphold our official webpage motto: “THINK VANUATU ECONOMIC HUB, THINK SANMA PROVINCE, A PROVINCE WITH DETERMINATION.”

Moving forward, the Sanma Provincial Government Council will continuously upgrade and optimize this digital platform, uphold transparency, inclusivity and innovation in governance, and leverage ICT to empower community development, boost economic vitality, and deliver efficient public services. With unified determination and collaborative effort from all sectors and communities, we will steadily advance Sanma Province’s development agenda, fulfill our NSDP 2030 commitments, and solidify our status as Vanuatu’s dynamic and leading economic hub. Once again, thank you for your visit, engagement, and continuous support for Sanma Province’s growth and development.

Thankyou

Jonathan IAVERE

SECRETARY GENERAL

Community Profiling is a description of the needs of a community that is defined, or defines itself, as a community, and the resources that exist within that community, carried out with the active involvement of the community itself, for the purpose of developing an action plan or other means of improving the quality of life of the community

Tok Tankio

This community profiling exercise would not have been possible without the dedicated and collective effort of the Sanma Area Administrators and Community liaison officers. the unwavering dedication of numerous individuals and organizations who generously contributed their time, expertise, and resources. The profiling would not have been possible with the generous support if the Department of Local Authorities’ and its key stakeholders within the government who are represented by the Sanma community profile working group.

We extend our deepest gratitude to the members of the community and in particular community leaders of the communities in Sanma, who for the time and knowledge,

We also acknowledge with appreciation the invaluable support of our partners and collaborators, the Sanma Provincial TAC, members of the profiling working group, the Vanuatu Skills Partnership for the technical support.

Foreword

The community profiling serves as a vital tool in unveiling many key underlying layers of our societies, offering insights into development progress in terms of service delivery, economy, infrastructure, cultures, values, and challenges that defines any community.

In 2020, Sanma provincial government took a step to conduct a community profile for its 11 local area councils, to stock take and provide necessary updates on the community needs, goals and visions. Thematic areas were identified and aligned to provincial government plans and objectives. The systematic approach through design, support and implementation with the help of its key stakeholder, allows the proper profiling to be conducted in the last quarter of 2023.

Sanma Province Community Profiling

Download

East Santo

The East Santo Area Council is a council that operates within the Sanma Province of Vanuatu, focusing on community development and service delivery. It plays a crucial role in supporting provincial services at a community level, as evidenced by the newly constructed Area Council building in South Santo Area 1. The council also works on developing action plans and Integrated Area Council Development Plans to address community priorities.

Key Functions and Activities:

Community Development:

The East Santo Area Council actively engages with communities, organizing meetings to set priorities, establish development committees, and develop action plans.

Infrastructure:

The council prioritizes infrastructure development, such as road improvements, to enhance access and connectivity within the area.

Capacity Building:

The council aims to improve its efficiency through capacity building initiatives, though currently facing challenges in this area.

Service Delivery:

The council is responsible for overseeing communities and ensuring the delivery of provincial services at a community level.

Financial Management:

The council manages allocated funds from the Member of Parliament (MP) through project proposals, aiming to improve the lives of the people within its constituency.

Business Development:

The council supports local businesses and farmers, as seen with the handover of business plans for farmers in the Bisnis Blong Buluk (BBB) Research Project.

Community Engagement

The council actively engages with the community, including the youth, to ensure their involvement and understanding of development projects.

Conflict Resolution

The council plays a role in resolving disputes within the community, such as those between contractors and residents during construction projects.

Data & statistique Download Sanma Province Community Profiling

40

No. of Communities

4,720

Population - Census 2020
Male : 2,408 | Female : 2,311

1,041

Total households

607.2 km²

Area

Contact

Tel : 5392647 / 7662171
Location : BENE

John Neki Nambas

Area Administrator (AA)
5392647 / 7662171
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Angelo Wass

Community Liaison Officer (CLO)
5613454 / 7353673
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Sanma area councils

Sanma Province

About Sanma Province

Sanma is a province located in the Northern part of the nation of Vanuatu, occupying the nation's largest island, Espiritu Santo, which is located approximately 2,500 km northeast of Sydney, Australia. The name Sanma is derived from the initial letters of the main islands of (Espiritu) Santo and Malo.

Sanma Province is made up of the islands Espiritu Santo and Malo and includes a number of smaller surrounding islands that sit just offshore, such as Aore, Tutuba, Turtle, Bokissa and Ratua island.

Known for its world-class diving, blue holes and white sandy beaches, Sanma Province is the perfect destination for your next holiday. Whether you are looking for a romantic escape, off-the-beaten-track adventure, relaxing spell on pristine beaches or a family-friendly getaway, we guarantee that there is something here for everyone !

Getting here is stress-free as Espiritu Santo's Pekoa International Airport, located just outside Luganville, receives daily flights from Port Vila and twice weekly flights from Brisbane Australia via Air Vanuatu.

Sanma Province is also the gateway to the northern outer-islands of Vanuatu. Pekoa airport has direct flights to Torba, Penama and Malampa provinces, making it easy for you to explore !

Transport is regular but still difficult at times especially during rainy seasons. Communication is challenging in some remote areas. Infrastructure is limited on these smaller islands with a few roads and vehicles present on Malo, Aore & Tutuba. Air Vanuatu provides regular service to Santo Island. Small “banana boats” are relied upon heavily at some point of landing access, despite frequent rough seas, to access remaining communities.

The difficulty and infrequent level of transport in Sanma Province has resulted in a much higher pricing for locals when they purchase commonly used goods and supplies such as fuel and tinned foods.

Social, Cultural and Economic Potential

Sanma Province in Vanuatu is known for its natural beauty, historical sites, and cultural diversity. The province's economy is based on agriculture, fishing, and horticulture, but there is also potential for growth in other sectors.

Productive Sectors

The primary productive sectors in Sanma Province, Vanuatu, are agriculture (particularly copra and cattle production), tourism, and fisheries; with key areas of focus including coconut farming, livestock rearing, and the potential for high-end tourism development, particularly around the islands of Espiritu Santo, Malo, and Aore.

Key points about Sanma’s productive sectors:

Tourism Potential:

While not as developed as other Vanuatu provinces, Sanma has significant potential for high-end tourism due to its natural beauty, including beaches like Champagne Beach and historical sites like Million Dollar Point.

Fisheries

Fishing activities also contribute to the local economy, with opportunities for further development.

Forestry

Though not as prominent as agriculture, forestry also plays a role in the local economy.

Construction and Property Services:

With potential for development in tourism infrastructure, construction is another relevant sector.

Transport and Logistics:

Maritime transport is crucial for connecting Sanma to other parts of Vanuatu.

Dominant Agriculture:

Copra and cattle production are considered the mainstays of Sanma’s agricultural sector, with a historical reputation for large-scale coconut plantations.

SPGC Administrators

Malampa province has 10 Area Councils with each Area Council having an administrator.

Marsten Tias

South East Ambrym Area Council
Tel: (+678) 5616108/ 7115358
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Bong Massing

West Ambrym Area Council
Tel: (+678) 5902191/ 7756485
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Sairos Willie

Paama Area Council
Tel: (+678) 5347850/ 7313127
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Gerald Tamau

South West Malekula Area Council
Tel: (+678) 5631573/7614776
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Jerryson Hosea

North West Malekula Area Council
Tel: (+678) 5413627/ 7777802
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Joselito Atpatun

South East Malekula Area Council
Tel: (+678) 5343204/ 7102069
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Lulu Leymang

South Malekula Area Council
Tel: (+678) 5293462
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Jackson Willie

North Ambrym Area Council
Tel: (+678) /5343604/7636505
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