Shefa has lost a respected leader, Chief Jimmy Meameadola, who was the Secretary General of the Malvatumauri Council of Chiefs.

Chief Jimmy helped protect 19,000 hectares of land by declaring it as a reserve for future generations.

Secretary General of Shefa Province, Lionel Kaluat, shared his sadness and praised the work of Chief Jimmy.

He said,

“We are sad to hear this sad news. He fought for our Efate. Last year he launched a milestone history at Emua for the people to think about.
It was a struggle, but he got through it. It is a park that he looked after, that he walked for — and now the kids of today can look forward to that.
It is a historic landmark that is present now.”

Mr. Kaluat said Shefa has lost “a nambanga tree .

Chief Jimmy Meameadola will be remembered for his fight to protect land, culture, and custom for the people of Vanuatu.