Vanuatu's Malvatumauri National Council of Chiefs is to hold an extraordinary sitting so it can advise the government on a number of custom land related bills up in the next session.
The chairman of the Malvatumauri, Chief Seni Mao Tirsupe, said he welcomed the request for advice because it showed the Government now realised the important role his organisation had when it came to customary land.
Chairman of Vanuatu National Council of Chiefs, Chief Seni Mao Tirsupe Photo: RNZI/Len Garae
Chief Tirsupe said in the past the Malvatumauri legislation had stated the government "may" consult chiefs on customs and culture related issues but this was amended to "must" consult in 2013.
The planned extraordinary meeting would be the third time the government has sought the wisdom of the chiefs on customary land matters.
