Board & Structure
The VPPA Board consists of a representative from each province and four Directors General from the ministries of Agriculture, Trade, Lands, and Finance. The new Board consists of the following officials:
| Name | Organization |
|---|---|
| Peter Napwatt (Chairman) | Tafea Provincial Forum |
| Tom Robert (Vice Chairman) | Shefa Provincial Forum |
| Amsen Willie | Malampa Provincial Forum |
| Joel Tari | Penama Provincial Forum |
| Shadrack Welegtabit | Torba Provincial Forum |
| Graham Sele | Sanma Provincial Forum |
| Arthur Faerua (Director General) | Ministry of Lands |
| Roy Mickey Joy (Director General) | Ministry of Trades |
| August Letlet (Director General) | Ministry of Finance |
| Moses Amos (Director General) | Ministry of Agriculture |
| Tekon Timothy Tumukon | CEO of VPPA |
| Eleanor Kenneth | Admin Manager/ Board Secretary |
The board appointed the former Director of the Department of Biosecurity Vanuatu, Tekon Timothy Tumukon as the new Chief Executive Officer of VPPA. Mr. Tumukon was VPPA’s interim CEO until his appointment on 25 March 2021.
The board also appointed Mrs. Eleanor Kenneth as the Board Secretary and Mr. Pakoa Lui as the Chief Financial Controller. CEO Tumukon oversees the day-to-day management and affairs of the Authority.
VPPA functions under the direction of its members through the Board, the National Forum, the six provincial forum and area product groups. While it is independently from the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Forestry, Fisheries and Biosecurity (MALFFB), it exists to assist the Ministries of Agriculture and Trades with data and information collation, organizational and coordination and linkages to market.
The structure as established by the Vanuatu Primary Producers Authority Act, comprising six organs that serve the purpose of the Authority.
Members from each province are elected from their Area Primary Product Groups to represent them at the Provincial Forum, National Forum and eventually one elected member. Ultimate primary producers make the decisions which are eventually endorsed by the Board.