VT3.2B Pentecost Wharf and Road Project kicks off
December 11, 2025 10:15 pm | Posted in Business News | Share now TwitterFacebook
By Hilaire Bule.
The groundbreaking of the first wharf on Pentecost and Phase 2 of the tar seal road, a project valued at VT3,240,000,000, took place at Melsisi yesterday.
The ceremony was performed by the Minister of Infrastructure and Public Utilities, Xavier Emmanuel Harry, Chinese Ambassador Li Minggang, and Members of Parliament (MPs) for Pentecost, Charlot Salwai and Matyphen Lange.
Chief Basil Bulememe thanked the Government of the People’s Republic of China and the Government of Vanuatu for supporting infrastructure development on the island.
Chief Bulememe said the people of Pentecost expect more positive income opportunities and economic activities after the completion of the wharf and Phase 2 of the tar seal road.
President of PENAMA Provincial Government Council (PPGC), Charlot Tabigerian, also thanked the Chinese government and the Government of Vanuatu for the wharf and Phase 2 of the Pentecost road.
Mr. Tabigerian said the road and the wharf are located on Pentecost but will benefit people across PENAMA. He said the project is included in the five-year development plan of the province, which targets infrastructure growth on Ambae, Maewo and Pentecost.
He asked the people of Pentecost to take ownership of the funded projects.
Chinese Ambassador Li said the development is a free gift from China for Christmas and New Year 2026 to the people of Pentecost.
“Pentecost has unique natural scenery and rich cultural heritage, and presents huge potential for tourism development,” he said.
“Land diving is the source of inspiration for modern bungee jumping, and the local kava is well-known far and wide. I believe that this road and wharf, built to Chinese standards, will further improve local transportation, support the development of agriculture, tourism, trade and other industries, generate tax revenue, create jobs and improve livelihoods. Pentecost, located in eastern Vanuatu, is showing great promise for development.”
He said that since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Vanuatu 43 years ago, many China-aided buildings and facilities have become symbols of Vanuatu and reflect the friendship and shared development goals of the two countries.
Mr. Li said that this year, under the leadership of Prime Minister (PM) Jotham Napat, the Vanuatu Government has actively promoted national reconstruction.
“As a good friend, brother and partner of Vanuatu, China will continue to deepen friendly cooperation with Vanuatu and do our best to help,” he said.
“Currently, in addition to emergency relief supplies delivered by chartered flights and cash assistance, the China-Aid renovation project on eight key buildings has begun. Seven Chinese-donated patrol boats have been allocated to six provinces to assist emergency rescue and disaster response on islands. Furthermore, the construction of six disaster emergency shelters has commenced. This year, we have also implemented VT70 million in livelihood support, donating building materials, iron sheets, tents, water tanks, solar lights and other emergency supplies to communities across Vanuatu to help improve resilience to disasters and climate change.”
Ambassador Li said China will continue to use its strengths to support infrastructure development, climate action and disaster mitigation in Vanuatu to help strengthen national capacity and improve living conditions.
He said China will also work to promote the beauty of Pentecost and Vanuatu to Chinese tourists.
Infrastructure Minister Harry said the groundbreaking marks an important project for central Pentecost, which has a population of 4,954 according to the 2020 national census.
He said people in central Pentecost are heavily involved in the kava trade and need reliable roads and a wharf.
Mr. Harry said people in central Pentecost contribute to the production of local food that is important for national food security.
He acknowledged former PM and current MP for Pentecost, Mr. Salwai, for his leadership that led to the signing of the agreement to build Phase 2 of the tar seal road and the wharf with the Chinese government in Beijing.
Yesterday, Minister Harry announced that Phase 3 will start at Bwatnapni in central Pentecost and extend to Angoro in north Pentecost. Phase 2 covers Melsisi to Hubiku, Hubiku to Bwatnapni, Ubiku to Tansip, Tansip to Enkul and Enkul to Tambok, all located in the central area.
Mr. Salwai explained to the community that Phase 2 is a grant, meaning the government and the people of Pentecost do not have to repay it.
He encouraged the people to take advantage of the development to grow economic activities on the island. He said Pentecost used to sell water taro in Port Vila but there are fewer supplies today compared with previous years.
Mr. Salwai said there is currently high demand for kava in international markets but supply on the island is not enough. He encouraged the community to plant more now that they will soon have better facilities and access, including a road and a wharf.
To acknowledge the infrastructure development, chiefs of Pentecost presented a pig, kava and food to Minister Harry and a walking stick to Ambassador Li.
The two projects will be built by Shanghai Construction Group (SCG), CREEC Consulting and Supervision Co. Ltd.
SCG said it will take an estimated 48 months to complete the two projects.
The company is not new to construction work in Vanuatu. It built the Luganville wharf in Santo in 2017 and the Emalus Campus.
