The Minister of Finance and Economic Management Hon. Sela Molisa thanked the governments of the United States of America and New Zealand in addressing poverty reduction and the Millennium Development Goals. He said in Vanuatu’s case, with small islands scattered in the ocean, good and reliable infrastructure is an important means of reducing poverty and improving economic growth. The Minister went on further to explain that both the Road of Life (in Efate) and Good Will Highway (in Santo) are examples of this. "The Efate Ring Road paved the way to increase commercial activities and employment opportunity".

Minister Molisa also outlined future plans to develop a sustainable energy production plant which will operate through geothermal energy to be based at Takara. The energy production plant is an example of the type of additional developments likely to proceed shortly.
In his speech, the Prime Minister Hon. Edward Nipake Natapei thanked the United States Ambassador to Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu, Mr. Teddy Taylor, after he accepted a roll of mat from the envoy to symbolise the handing over of 48km of newly completed Efate Ring Road to the Government and the people of Vanuatu.

The New Zealand High Commissioner to Vanuatu, Mr. Jeff Langley, stated that the New Zealand Government has been working together with the Vanuatu Government but “this is the first time for New Zealand to support the Vanuatu Government in this major project of infrastructure. New Zealand has contributed a small amount compared to the huge amount provided by the United States but we are glad to help”. In addition, he said New Zealand is encouraged by the Vanuatu Government’s commitment to maintaining the road.
MCC Resident Country Manager Christine Cookson made approximately 1,000 people smile to prove to her that are happy. She thanked the Vanuatu Government, SHEFA Province and SANMA Province, MCA Vanuatu, MCA Vanuatu Steering Committee, Department of Public Work, Downer EDI Works and its Sub-contractors, with the international engineer, Queensland Consulting Project Partners and everyone who contributed in their specific fields to make the dream come true.

Ms. Cookson also shared some of her favourite success stories related to the Compact, and highlighted that "Some of the people they (Downer EDI Works) trained have used their skills to go into businesses while others have been subcontracted back by Downer to continue to help with the building of the roads". Ambassador Taylor thanked the Prime Minister and Government for their warm welcome and noted that the celebration marks America’s friendship and its confidence for Vanuatu’s political and economic future. He reminded the crowd of approximately 1,000 people who gathered for the joyful celebration that America’s friendship with Vanuatu begun during World War II when American service men and women came to set up military bases in Vanuatu. During this time, around 250,000 soldiers were based in the islands and Takara (where the ceremony was held), was another Army base with the airfield and three low hills which spell out the letters U-S-A are still there today. continue to read