Malekula welcomed a high-level delegation this week as the Minister of Justice, Youth and Community Services, Job Andy, and Australian Deputy High Commissioner to Vanuatu, Ms. Emily Fisher, arrived for a series of important community-building events — the highlight being the launch of a brand-new Corrections Office at the Malampa Provincial Headquarters.

In a symbolic ceremony, the delegation officially laid the foundation stone for the facility, marking a major step toward improving justice infrastructure in the province.

Albert Nalpini, Acting Director of Correctional Services, expressed his sincere gratitude to the local customary landowners and the Malampa Provincial Government for their vital support in making the project possible. He also highlighted the urgent need for the new correctional centre currently in development.

Nalpini explained that the department has visited the two old colonial-era prisons in Norsup and Lakatoro to assess the possibility of renovating these facilities as soon as possible. “Our current facilities are no longer safe,” he stated. “With the country's population steadily growing, we must be prepared to meet the increasing demands on our justice system.”

He further emphasized that decentralizing correctional services is not only necessary, but also a strategic move. “Building correctional offices and centres in the provinces is a proactive step forward,” Nalpini added. “The laying of this foundation is just the beginning, and there is more to come.”

In addition to the corrections project, the delegation also inaugurated the new Disability and Child Desk Office Building. This move further strengthens Malampa’s support network for vulnerable members of the community — a clear signal that justice and care are being brought closer to the people.