Chinese Embassy grants Vatu 1.05 million for Chief Nakamai's Building Reconstruction Project

On August 6, 2015, the Chinese Ambassador, Xie Bohua, presented a Vt 1.05 million ($96,300) cheque to the President of the Malvatumauri, Chief Senimao Tirsupe.

The cheque was to aid in the reconstruction of the Chiefs Nakamal building (the assembly building of the national council of chiefs (Malvatumauri) designed in the form of a traditional nakamal) in Port Vila, which was destroyed by Cyclone Pam in March 2015. Chiefs Nakamal was originally built in 1989 and served as a conference and event center.

Vanuatu is aiming to use more modern materials and make the building cyclone proof. The project was initiated in May 2016.

The office of Malvatumauri expects the reconstruction work to be completed by the end of December 2016 ("Rebuilding Of Vanuatu’s Iconic Chiefs Nakamal Proceeding Well"). Loan applications and disbursements are still being received and processed as the projects continue to evolve. Ongoing monitoring and evaluation are in place to ensure project continuity.