Improvements in the Salap-Ranwas road section of the South Pentecost Road in Penama Province was implemented by Physical Works Division – Vanuatu Infrastructure Reconstruction and Improvement Project (PWD-VIRIP). In April 2020, 83% of the road network on Pentecost was inaccessible because of Tropical Cyclone Harold. Roads have been blocked by trees and damaged by heavy rain.

R4D2 assisted PWD to coordinate the preparation of TC Harold Response and Recovery Plan. As a result, response and recovery activities were identified and implemented, and R4D2, through the RIMs officer, worked in collaboration with VIRIP to map and scope the roads to indicate where road damages are critical and needing immediate work.

RIMs Officer Graham Waka said, "I have worked with VIRIP to identify low and high points in South Pentecost based on the elevation profile of the map.  The road from Salap to Ranwas is one of the roads which I have identified that needs clearance and concreting by VIRIP".

The road from Salap to Ranwas in South Pentecost was not maintained since the 1990s and was inaccessible by vehicles during rainy weather. The project was funded by World Bank through VIRIP contracts and was implemented by contractor Pierre Brunet Enterprise Generale.

The road is 7km in length; 5 km was graveled and most of the sections were concreted.  Currently,  2km of gravelling works is ongoing, but this is planned to be concreted by PWD.

The upgrade of this road section from Salap to Ranwas is well appreciated by the people of Pentecost, after decades of neglect. Villagers and farmers now have access to better roads, increasing their agricultural activities to sell at the market. David Boe, a transport driver, said," I am glad the road has been gravelled and concreted because I was able to save significant costs in vehicle maintenance.”

                                    The road from Salap to Ranwas South Pentecost, before and after the road works by PWD-VIRIP