Zone Zero residents applaud PM’s visit

A high Government and diplomatic delegation visit Wednesday this week to Zone Zero in Santo was a surprise package for its residents.  

PM Natapei is led to the community nasara by Chief Coling

Many residents were surprised when the delegation comprising of Heads of the Government and diplomatic heads and representatives stopped over at Lewaton Culture Village as part of their one tour for the official opening of the Santo East Coast road at Lopelope.

The delegation was led by Prime Minister Edward Nipake Natapei and his counterpart ministers of various government ministries, Leader of Opposition, Ham Lini and Directors and Director Generals.

Upon arrival the delegation was welcomed with a warrior dance proceeding to a welcome speech made by one of the residents, Mrs Alice Bolenga.

Mrs Bolenga said, “We are very pleased for your visit despite of your busy schedule. It is the first tiem ever that we have received such a high number of Government and diplomatic delegation to our community since our culture village was set up in 2007.”

Mrs Bolenga went on to call on the government for its support stating that custom practice is important for Vanuatu. “Because custom is part of the Ni-Vanuatu life, it is important we continue to practice and preserve our traditional way of life,” she said.

In respond, Prime Minister Edward Nipake Natapei said his government will be looking into their plight. .

The visit ended with the water music performance by the Lewaton women’s group and presentations of gifts to government ministers and heads of the diplomatic missions.

Lewaton Cultural village is located in Zone Zero. Its aim is to showcase the traditional way of life and to enhancing living standards by attracting tourists to the cultural village.

The cultural village has been in full swing with the assistance of the New Zealand government to get the project started in 2007.