Pacific / French Polynesia

Tahiti town rebelling amid funding woes

13:58 pm on 21 April 2017

French Polynesia's largest commune is rebelling against a perceived lack of support from the territorial government and the French state.

Oscar Temaru Photo: RNZI

The mayor of Faa'a Oscar Temaru and top council officials decided to block the main road to draw attention to problems experienced in their area.

They cited the repeated flooding of homes because of a waterway management system that is outside the commune's control.

However, the territorial government rejected the criticism, saying assistance to the Faaa victims was a priority.

Faa'a also wants to charge an airport tax to counter the negative impact of Tahiti's international airport on its soil.

Mr Temaru told Tahiti-infos that he doesn't want a foreign or French company to run the airport.

Earlier this month, a Paris court annulled the contract of ADT, the company currently running the airport, after finding that it had been awarded without first going out to tender.