Mr John Chaniel, Chairman
Mr Lloyd Fikiasi, Part Time Executive Commissioner
Mr Jesse Benjamin, Chief Executive Officer & Commission
The Authority’s Commission comprising a chairperson and two Executive Commissioners, supported by staff led by a Chief Executive Officer, who is also one of the Executive Commissioners. The Commissioners are appointed by the Minister responsible for Finance & Economic management, on the recommendation of the Evaluation Committee pursuant to an open and competitive selection process outlined in the URA Act.
URA Chairperson & Commissioner: Mr. John Roy Chaniel
Mr. John Roy Chaniel was appointed to the role of Chairperson and Commissioner on 14th August 2020. Mr. Chaniel, a former Board Director and General Manager of UNELCO Engie, holds over 40 years’ of experience in engineering ranging from Airport engineering to Construction engineer, Design and Water Engineer. He holds a Bachelor of Civil Engineering from the Queensland University of Technology and has vast international experience with a number of years working in Vanuatu, Australia, and New Caledonia. He possesses skills in concession management, contract negotiations, leadership and management and industry focus. He holds membership in various associations and committees some of these significant ones included being the first Chairperson of the Pacific Water and Wastewater Association (PWWA) and a Board Member of the Pacific Power Association (PPA).
URA Part-Time Executive Commissioner: Mr. Lloyd M. Fikiasi
Mr. Lloyd M. Fikiasi holds the position of Executive Commissioner for the URA since 11th October 2019. A former staff of the URA, Mr. Fikiasi currently holds the position of Deputy Commissioner International with the Vanuatu Maritime Safety Authority. Originally from the Solomon Islands, Mr. Fikiasi, a Lawyer by profession has successfully been awarded citizenship in Vanuatu. With over 15 years of experience in public utilities regulation, Mr. Fikiasi is well versed in the framework and legal requirements in the sector of Electricity, Water, and Telecommunications. Mr. Fikiasi possess a Bachelor's degree in Law from the University of the South Pacific and a Certificate PURC Advanced International Practices Program on Telecom Policy and Regulation for NGN with the University of Florida, USA.
URA Chief Executive Officer & Commissioner: Mr. Jesse Benjamin
Mr. Jesse Benjamin was appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of the Authority on 08th August 2024. Mr. Benjamin has over 18 years of working experience in energy, environment, climate change, inclusive green growth and sustainable development sectors nationally, regionally and internationally. He has previously occupied high government positions as the Director of the Energy Department and Director General of the Ministry of Climate Change.
Mr. Benjamin brings a wealth of market experience and technical skills in engineering, project management and corporate administration. CEO Benjamin is a Master’s Degree holder, specialising in the field of Engineering majoring in Energy Policy and Planning from the University of Technology, Sydney (UTS) and is also a Bachelor's Degree holder in Electrical Engineering from the University of the South Pacific.