12 Apr 2016

Chinese company tar sealing Vanuatu outer islands roads

4:04 pm on 12 April 2016

Two of Vanuatu's outer islands, Tanna and Malekula, will become the first islands outside of Efate and Santo, to have tar-sealed roads.

The Chinese Government is to help fund the roading project which will cost a total of US$47 million dollars.

The Vanuatu prime minister Charlot Salwai called on custom landowners and chiefs in the areas where the roads are being built to co-operate with the company doing the road building, the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation.

He said the locals had a duty to support a project which will boost economic growth for the Malekula islands, Malampa Province and Vanuatu.

The main road across the interior of the Vanuatu island of Tanna.

The main road across the interior of the Vanuatu island of Tanna. Photo: RNZI / Jamie Tahana