Enginkehlap 15-21
1.Pohnpei COVID-19 Task Force Updates As of April 20, 2021, 10,633 people have received the first dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, 4,291 people have received the second dose. Pohnpei’s completion rate is at 21%. The Moderna COVID-19 shot is available for all adults 18 years and above and can be received at Public Health across from the Pohnpei State Hospital. The repatriation date from Guam has been identified as May 13, 2021. Two flights on military aircraft, funded by the US Embassy, are scheduled that day. The final list of passengers is still being decided upon but will include medical referrals and students stranded in Guam. 2. Pohnpei Robo Day 2021 On Tuesday, April 13, 2021, Governor Oliver attended the opening program for Pohnpei Robo Day 2021 at Our Lady of Mercy High School (OLMHS) Gymnasium. Pohnpei Robo Day is an annual robotics competition between Pohnpei High Schools that showcases student creativity, teamwork, and competitive spirit. This is the third Pohnpei Robo Day, which was started by Habele, a non-profit organization supporting Micronesian students through scholarships, robotics, and books, through a partnership with the US Office of Insular Affairs in 2019. After an opening prayer by Pohnpei Catholic School Principal, Mrs. Yolanda Y. Nanpei, and welcoming remarks by OLMHS Vice Principal, Mr. Russel Figueras, a 90-second video presentation on Habele was shown and the founder of Habele, Mr. Neil Mellen, and Executive Director Matthew said hello to the participants. Governor Oliver delivered short remarks, conveying his sincere appreciation for being invited to such a unique event, and expressing his gratitude for Habele and their partnership with the US Office of Insular Affairs for making Robo Day possible. While he admitted that he did not know anything about Robotics, he noted that creative minds have changed the world since the time of Leonardo Da Vinci and Thomas Edison with revolutionary inventions. Governor Oliver highlighted recent events like Student Takeover Day to emphasize the importance that the Oliver/Perman administration places on the development of the youth of Pohnpei. He called the Students and their Robots assembled for the competition brilliant, sharp, and smart. Governor Oliver encouraged the students to continue to create and innovate for the good of everyone, to help move us all forward. Governor Oliver was allowed to operate one of the robots on the competition floor, to kick off the competition. The high schools represented at Pohnpei Robo Day 2021 were Calvary Christian Academy (CCA), Nanpei Memorial High School (NMHS), Madolenihmw High School (MHS), Pohnpei Island Central School (PICS), Pohnpei Catholic School (PCS) High School, and Our Lady of Mercy High School (OLMHCS). Established by former Peace Corps Volunteers, Habele is a non-profit organization supporting Micronesian students through scholarships, robotics, and books. For more information on Habele, visit their website at https://habele.org/ 3. Mr. Nobuo Lopez of the Overseas Fisheries Corporation Foundation of Japan visits Governor Oliver On Wednesday, April 14, 2021, Governor Oliver received Mr. Nobuo Lopez from the Overseas Fisheries Corporation Foundation of Japan (OFCF). Mr. Lopez represented Mr. Uchida Kazuhisa, OFCF’s resident representative for the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM). Mr. Kazuhisa was recently identified as the latest resident representative to FSM but unfortunately has not been able to assume his post here in Pohnpei, because of COVID-19 restrictions concerning international travel. Mr. Lopez conveyed Mr. Kazuhisa’s greetings to Governor Oliver and presented face masks on his behalf. Mr. Lopez also related that Mr. Kazuhisa is anxious to arrive in Pohnpei and continue the work of OFCF in Pohnpei. The Overseas Fishery Cooperation Foundation of Japan (OFCF) was established in June 1973, with the aim to build, maintain and enhance win-win relationships in the fisheries field between Japan and coastal countries, including the FSM. 4. Bank of Guam’s Asterio Takesy calls on Governor Oliver On Wednesday, April 14, 2021, Mr. Asterio Takesy, Vice President of Governmental Operations for Bank of Guam and former FSM Ambassador to the United States of America met with Governor Oliver in the Governor’s Office. The reason for the meeting was to request consideration for a technician from Diebold (the company contracted by Bank of Guam (BOG) to service their ATM machines) to be included in the earliest repatriation trip. He noted that BOG understands that there are priorities for repatriation and their position to ask for consideration will not be at the expense of those priorities. A formal request has also been lodged with the National Government for the same consideration, by the BOG. Ambassador Takesy called the current ATM banking situation “dire” and the Pohnpei Branch is looking to lengthen their normal working hours to deal with the current situation if approved by BOG Headquarters. This should be known by Monday (April 19, 2021). The plan shared by Ambassador Takesy is to replace all three ATM machines with brand new, larger, higher capacity machines. Each machine weighs approximately 2,000 lbs, with dimensions similar to a US standard refrigerator. The ATMs will be transported to Pohnpei either by ship or airplane, depending on their request for consideration. The Diebold Agent identified to service the ATM machines has already completed vaccinations and been to Palau to service their ATMs as well. Governor Oliver advised Ambassador Takesy that BOG’s request will be conveyed to the Task Force. He updated Ambassador Takesy on the current repatriation efforts, including quarantine requirements that are still being discussed with both Task Forces and other arrangements like numbers and the use of United Airlines. He also reminded BOG about a previous request to install an ATM in the Pohnpei Administration Building. 5. United Airlines meets with Governor Oliver On Thursday, April 15, 2021, United Airlines Acting Manager, Mrs. Easter Shirai, and Mr. Rickson Oliver met with Governor Oliver, Chief of Staff, Kapilly Capelle, and Director of Resources and Development, Mr. Hubert Yamada. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss repatriation efforts beyond the planned May 13, 2021 repatriation flight sponsored and paid for by the U.S. Government. Chief of Staff, Kapilly Capelle, thanked Mrs. Shirai