The Second Political Advisor (PA) to the Prime Minister (PM) will cover the full cost of repairs after crashing a government vehicle into a private shop in Ipota, Erromango, on Saturday night at around 10pm. According to the Member of Parliament (MP) for TAFEA Outer Islands, Tomker Netvunei, the advisor was allegedly under the influence of kava, which affected his ability to drive and led to the incident. MP Netvunei, who is from Erromango, told the Vanuatu Daily Post that he brought the matter to the attention of PM Jotham Napat immediately after the crash. “After the accident, I consulted the PM, and we both agreed that disciplinary action must be taken, and the Second PA will be responsible for the damage to the government vehicle and the property he crashed into,” MP Netvunei said. He said the advisor should not have been driving, particularly while under the influence of kava. Netvunei also clarified the origin and intended use of the vehicle, following allegations that it had been used for private and political purposes. “The vehicle registration number G1174 was allocated to Erromango by a formal request during my tenure as Minister of Youth and Sports. The request was made to the former caretaker Minister of Agriculture, Jotham Napat, during the last legislature,” he said. “All government procedures for transferring the vehicle to Erromango were followed. It was designated specifically for the Coconut Replanting Project.” The project was launched through a framework agreement between the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Forestry and Biosecurity and the Ministry of Youth and Sports to engage more young people in agriculture. “As a result, more than 50 hectares have already been replanted on Erromango — and counting,” Netvunei said. Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD), Antoine Ravo, confirmed to the Vanuatu Daily Post that the project is progressing well. “So far this year alone, we have planted 4,862 coconut nurseries,” Ravo said. PM Napat had outlined a focus on performance-based governance and accountability during his inaugural speech. MP Netvunei confirmed that the government will not be responsible for the cost of repairs. “The government is not liable for any repair costs in Erromango. The full responsibility lies with the Second PA,” he said. The incident is being viewed as a reminder to all public servants and political staff of the need for accountability and the proper use of government vehicles and property. The Vanuatu Daily Post attempted to contact the Government Public Relations Officer for comment on behalf of the PM yesterday but received no response.