U.S. Embassy Kolonia brings a piece of America to the FSM for the 4th of July
The U.S. Embassy in Kolonia marked the 238th birthday of the United States of America with a large celebration, welcoming nearly 400 American Citizens, dignitaries, and other distinguished guests.
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Pohnpei Governor addresses Bills, Education, Measles, and Micronesia Games
By Bill Jaynes The Kaselehlie Press July 1, 2014 Pohnpei, FSM—
Today, Pohnpei’s Governor John Ehsa held a press conference. During the conference he discussed the bills he had sent to the Legislature, the Pohnpei measles outbreak, school test results, and the preparations for the 8th Micronesia Games.
Legislative bills
In time for its May regular session the Governor sent two bills to the Legislature which he said, “until now” are still pending. One was designed to establish a Trust Fund for Pohnpei State. “Word on the ‘Strategic Development Plan’ is out, and there are interested donors already available and waiting for creation of the Trust Fund,” he said. The other involves the creation of the United Revenue Authority.
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President Mori vetoes telecom “Open Access Entity” Act
By Bill Jaynes The Kaselehlie Press July 9, 2014 Palikir, Pohnpei—
Citing multiple reasons for his decision, FSM’s President Mori vetoed Congressional Act 18- 75 to delay the implementation of Chapter three of the Telecommunications Act until May 12, 2015. Chapter three establishes an “Open Access Entity” to manage fiber-optic connectivity, an expensive endeavor for which there is Congress is in special session this week. One of the items up for consideration during the session is the possibility of overturning the veto of CA-18-75. At press time, Congress had not yet acted on the matter. In his veto letter, President Mori pointed out that because Congress did not hold any public hearings nor issue any committee reports explaining the rationale behind the moratorium, the process was not transparent and its purpose is unclear. “The Act does not address any relevant issues involved in this matter; rather, it casts serious doubt upon our Nation’s resolve to embrace the needed reforms in the telecommunications sector for our people’s benefit,” he wrote in his official letter notifying Speaker Dohsis Halbert of his decision to veto. The President wrote that he had reviewed the Congressional Journal on its deliberations on the “moratorium” (CA 18-75).
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Delegates discuss successes and challenges in national climate change adaptation projects
Delegations from nine Pacific Island countries met at the Millennium Hall in Alofi, Niue from 23 to 27 June, 2014 to share experiences, discuss lessons learnt thus far and plan the completion of nine national climate change adaptation projects. These activities are all part of the Global Climate Change Alliance: Pacific Small Island States (GCCA: PSIS) project funded with EUR 11.4 million by the European Union. Participants from GCCA: PSIS project countries Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, Tonga and Tuvalu visited project sites in Niue, also a project country. These included a purpose built rainwater tank moulding facility and homes where rainwater harvesting systems have been installed.
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Camp GLOW Shines on...
By Matthew Brown Peace Corps Volunteer
“I love Camp GLOW because it is fun and educational,” said Ohmine student Rae-Ann Marie Rettin, giving the camp the highest praise any of us could hope for. During the weekend of May 9th through 11th, Rae-Ann and other eighth grade girls from all across Pohnpei attended the 10th annual session of Camp GLOW (Girls Leading Our World). Camp GLOW is part of a Peace Corps global initiative intended to empower young women and to help them become healthy, helpful, and successful members of their communities.
In order to attend the camp, the girls demonstrated their commitment to women’s empowerment by attending Camp GLOW sessions at their schools and by writing an essay. This year, with over 140 girls set to attend, the Peace Corps split the camp into two sessions. The first round of the camp was held at PATS with over eighty girls from Ohmine, Awak, Lukop, Sapwhilap, and Pohnlangas Elementary Schools in attendance. Peace Corps Volunteers and their local counterpart teachers instructed campers on topics including gender, hygiene, nutrition, first aid, and climate change, among others.
PNI Swim Club thanks Ambassador Beven
By Jim Tobin
The Pohnpei Swim Club and FSM National Olympic Committee invited Australian Ambassador Dr. Terry Beven to a short appreciation ceremony on Wednesday, July 2, at the Pohnpei Swimming Pool. The Pohnpei Swimming community wanted to thank the Australian Embassy and Ambassador Beven for the many Australian aid grants that helped fund many swimming pool operation projects the past few years.
