Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

After municipal elections, Vanuatu capital mayor seeks fresh term

Posted at 03:01 on 09 November, 2009 UTC

The outgoing mayor of Vanuatu’s capital Port Vila, Paul Avock Hungai, says he’s keen to take up the post again as negotiations are underway over the make-up of the new council after last week’s municipal elections.

Results from the Vila elections show that national government coalition parties, including Mr Avock’s Vanua’aku Pati, secured ten of the council’s 14 seats.

Mr Avock, who retained his seat despite controversies over his alleged involvement in the death of a 12-year-old boy in a motor accident this year and the ongoing financial difficulties of the council, says he’s ready to resume as mayor depending on negotiations.

“With those challenges, I got through again, I won back my seat. And I think we have lots to do yet in the council because the council needs some experienced councillors to continue work and to pull back the situation, especially the financial situation of the council, back to normal.”

The new Council will elect a mayor on November 18th.