Port Vila, 17-02-2025 –  The Honourable Minister of Justice, Youths, and Community Services, Job Andy, visited the Malvatumauri Nakamal on Friday afternoon. He was accompanied by his wife and the Director General, marking his first official meeting following his appointment earlier in the week.

One of the key purposes of the visit was for the Director General, Arthur Faerua, to introduce the newly appointed Minister of Custom and Culture to the President of the Malvatumauri, the great council of chiefs of the Republic of Vanuatu.

His Excellency Paul Robert Ravun Merhimbadangdang, expressed his joy at seeing a son of the nakamal, who was elected to parliament, return to his roots to personally thank the chiefs and their people for their steadfast support.

The President also highlighted that this was the first time a state minister had made an official visit to the national custom nakamal some days after his appointment by the Prime Minuster. Jean Pierre Tom, the Chief Executive Officer of the Malvatumauri Council of Chiefs, took the opportunity to provide an update on the restoration of the nakamal, which had been destroyed by a fire in 2023.

The Minister was also briefed on the preparations for the reopening of the nakamal, which is scheduled for March 5th, in conjunction with Chief’s Day. The celebrations will begin on February 24th and run through March 5th, with representatives from the 21 island council chiefs attending the grand opening of the nakamal.