Vanuatu prime minister, Joe Natuman, has told the country's chiefs his government will ensure they receive funds for their programmes around the country.
The prime minister was marking national chief day in Vanuatu and told chief Senimao Tirsupe, the president of the Malvatumauri Council of Chiefs, he will personally ensure they have the money they need included in the 2016 budget.
This comes after chief Tirsupe appealed for government recognition of the chiefs' Custom Governance System.
Chief Tirsupe says it has always been the chiefs who risk their lives to bring back peace and harmony between opposing parties in the islands and they do not get paid for it.
The Prime Minister says he will make sure there is money for the Malvatumauri Council of Chiefs, to cover the chiefs' transport and mobile phone costs.
