June 2021

1. COVID-19 Immunizations Update As of June 18, 2021, 17,887 people or 86% of the population that can receive the COVID-19 vaccine, have received the initial dose.  9,155 or 44% of the population that can receive the COVID-19 have completed the MODERNA and Johnson & Johnson vaccine. The vaccine coverage in the Municipalities is as follows: Kolonia – 61% U- 61% Kitti  – 52% Sokehs – 50% Nett – 46% Madolenihmw – 44% Outer Islands – 3% 2. US Embassy Deputy Chief and Officers visit Governor Oliver On Friday, June 18, 2021, Governor  Oliver received U.S. Embassy Kolonia Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM) Kristin Westphal, Public Affairs Officer Andrew Posner, Defense Attache’ CDR Thomas Price, USN, Economic/Consular Officer Frank  P. Talluto, and USAID Country Coordinator Rodger Garner.  The visit allowed Governor Oliver and staff to officially welcome the new US Embassy officers to Pohnpei and understand their roles and responsibilities. During the brief meeting, Governor Oliver introduced key staff, conveyed sincere gratitude and appreciation for the enduring partnership between the Pohnpei State Government and the U.S. Government and Embassy Staff.  He also pledged support and assistance moving forward in areas of mutual interest at the state level. Joining Governor Oliver were IsoNahnken of Madolenihmw and Administrator of the Office of Transportation and Infrastructure, Chief of Staff, Kapilly Capelle, Director of Public Safety Patrick Carl, Director of Education Stanley Etse, Public Affairs Officer Peteriko Hairens, Protocol Officer Billston Charley. 3. Mr. Kohler Carl, the newest member of the Price Control Commission On Tuesday, June 15, 2021, T.H. Reed B. Oliver,  administered the oath of office to Mr. Kohler Carl as the newest member of the Pohnpei State Price Control Commission. Mr. Carl received the oath of office at the Governor’s Cabinet Conference room, in front of family, friends, and colleagues including the Hon. Nelson Joseph Chief Justice of Pohnpei State, Hon. Beauleen Worswick-Carl Associate Justice FSM Supreme Court, Vice Speaker Hon. Stevick Edwin, Senator Hon. Ricky Carl and Senator Hon. Jayson Walter. In his brief remarks, Governor Oliver thanked Speaker Lambert and the 10th Pohnpei state Legislature for their support of Mr. Carl’s nomination.  He thanked Mr. Carl’s family for their support and all who came to support Mr. Carl.  Governor Oliver spoke of the importance of the Price Control Commission to help with the economic development of Pohnpei through consumer price regulation and control.  He also noted the recent reorganization of the Pohnpei Chamber of Commerce as another factor to help Pohnpei’s economic development. Vice Speaker, Hon. Stevick Edwin, representing Speaker Lambert and the 10th Pohnpei State Legislature, congratulated Mr. Carl and spoke on the importance of the price control commission and the importance of taking the initiative.  Mr. Carl thanked Governor Oliver, Speaker Lambert, and the 10th Pohnpei state Legislature members for his nomination, then confirmation and pledged to do his best to carry out his duties and responsibilities as a member of the Pohnpei State Price Control Commission. 4. Australian Ambassador to FSM pays first official visit On Thursday, June 10, 2021, H.E. Joanne Cowley, Australian Ambassador to the FSM, paid her first official visit to Pohnpei State Governor, T.H. Reed B. Oliver at Peilapalap, Kolonia.  The meeting was attended by members of Governor Oliver’s cabinet and staff.  The visit provided an opportunity for Governor Oliver to express his gratitude for the assistance provided by the Government of Australia to Pohnpei via Australian Awards Scholarships, Direct Aid Program grants, Australian Volunteers, and other programs.  Ambassador Cowley also expressed her gratitude and appreciation for Pohnpei’s COVID-19 response efforts including the recent repatriation, of which she was a part, and looked forward to working with Governor Oliver and the Pohnpei State Government to address challenges at the state level. Governor Oliver also congratulated Ambassador Cowley for recently receiving a prestigious title bestowed upon her by Soukisoulang, Nanmwarki of Kitti: Serinoahi Pohndake Kitti. Present with Governor Oliver during the meeting were: Chief of Staff, Kapilly Capelle, Director of Health, Wincener David, Director of Public Safety, Patrick Carl, Public Affairs Officer, Peteriko Hairens, as well as Overseas Development Assistance Coordinator, Shirley Ligohr and Department of Education Scholarship representatives, Yurida Susaia and Jackleen Pretrick. 5. Pohnpei Chamber of Commerce Reorganizes On Monday, June 14, 2021, the Pohnpei Chamber of Commerce officially met to reorganize their organization at the Governor’s Conference Room, Peilapalap, Kolonia.  Governor Oliver used this opportunity to welcome the organization and extend the support of the Executive branch through the Department of Resources and Development. In his brief remarks, Governor Oliver stated that he was happy to see so many of Pohnpei’s business elite coming together.  He welcomed the chamber and extended the support of the Executive branch through the Department of Resources and Development.  Governor Oliver also conveyed his appreciation to the FSM National Government for providing $25,000 to the Pohnpei Chamber of Commerce through the Governor’s Office to assist with the reorganization of the Chamber and future activities. Mr. Herman Semes, interim President of the FSM Association of Chambers of Commerce,  introduced the current officers present: Vice President, Martine Jano, Acting Secretary, Mr. Cassidy Shoniber, Treasurer – Mr. Herman Semes, and Staff – Mr. Benjamin Rodriguez.  He stated that the Pohnpei Chamber of Commerce is an umbrella organization of local businesses representing the private sector to dialogue with each other and the public sector. According to their website, at www.pohnpeichamber.com, the Pohnpei Chamber of Commerce is the collective voice of the Pohnpei business community advocating and supporting the interests of the private sector through inclusive participation and dialogue toward creating friendly investment environment public policies as a basis for a sustainable One Nation, One Economic National Goal for FSM. 6. Governor Oliver requests Pohnpei Transportation Authority assistance with potholes In a memorandum from Governor Oliver to the Commissioner of the Pohnpei Transportation Authority (PTA) Commissioner, Mr. Welson Panuel, and Chairman of the PTA Board, Mr. Midion Neth, Nahnpas Madolenihmw, and PTA Board, assistance was requested to check and take action on potholes.    The danger posed by potholes, especially

COVID-19 Task Force Updates As of June 4, 2021, 16,643 or 80% of the acceptable population that can receive the COVID-19 vaccine have been vaccinated with at least one dose.  The total number of people who have completed vaccinations is 8,179 or 39% of the acceptable population that can receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Vaccine coverage in the municipalities is as follow: Kolonia – 57% U- 53% Sokehs – 48% Kitti – 46% Madolenihmw – 40% Nett – 39% Outer Islands – 3% Dr. Thane Hancock, an epidemiologist from the US Centers for Disease and Control Center (CDC) continues to work with Dr. Rally Jim, the Department of Health and Social Services, and the Pohnpei COVID-19 Taskforce to provide expert advice and guidance for Pohnpei’s COVID-19 response efforts. He is also assisting with ventilator training.  Citing the success of Palau and Israel in recent months to achieve herd immunity in their countries, Dr. Hancock continues to encourage the Task Force and Pohnpei to press forward with vaccination efforts.  He said Pohnpei and FSM are already COVID FREE, now the effort should be made for  Pohnpei to be COVID-protected.  He was recently helping with outreach to the municipalities accompanying both Dr. Rally Jim and Dr. Payne Perman, to answer as many questions to alleviate the fear and misunderstanding surrounding COVID-19 vaccinations.   Governor Oliver expressed his gratitude for Dr. Hancock’s ongoing expert assistance and also related previously that the State of Israel has also committed to sending experts to assist with Pohnpei and FSM’s COVID-19 response efforts. In Palau, their first COVID case is not active and causes little risk for the spread of infection.  Dr. Thane Hancock joined Palau’s press conference via zoom virtual conference.  He noted that Palau is the best nation in the world to respond to this, because of the measures they have implemented with vaccination, quarantine, testing, etc.   2. Madolenihmw High School Seniors visit Governor’s Office On May 26, 2021, 48 seniors from Madolenihmw High School accompanied by their teachers, visited the Governor’s Office. The first group of students met with Governor Oliver and his staff in the Governor’s cabinet conference room in the morning. The second group of students met with the Public Affairs Officer, Mr. Peteriko Hairens, Senator Shelten Neth, and the Office of the Governor’s staff in the same cabinet conference room that afternoon. After welcoming the first group of students, Governor Oliver sat down with them in the cabinet conference room and offered some words of advice and encouragement. Acknowledging their excitement as they near the end of their high school educational journey, face new challenges, and depart from friends and teachers, he counseled them to prepare themselves for graduation and beyond. Governor Oliver urged the students to finish school and return to Pohnpei. He told the students that one day, they will replace us and will do even better than us. Governor Oliver advised the students that we need people who will be responsible and serious to run the Government, noting that the 12 years of education that they have just received along with the counsel and advice of their parents, teachers, and elders will prepare them for the next step. Governor Oliver encouraged the students to set their dreams and achieve what they are passionate about. He said Pohnpei needs you as a teacher, nurse, engineer, or even a Governor. He encouraged the girls to aspire to the Governor’s position as well. Before thanking the students for their visit, he gave a quick history lesson, naming the Governors of Pohnpei who came before him. Governor Oliver ended by urging them to make good use of their visit to the Governor’s Office and other Pohnpei State Government offices to help them decide what they want to do. The second group of students from Madolenihmw High School met with Public Affairs Officer, Peteriko Hairens, representing the Governor, and Senator Shelten Neth who escorted the group from their visit at Legislature to the Governor’s Office. Mr. Hairens welcomed the students on behalf of the Governor, noting that the Governor is very happy to have them visit, and apologized for his absence. Mr. Hairens conveyed words of encouragement to them to continue in their education and look to return to help Pohnpei. Senator Neth explained the government branches and functions, connecting them all together and explaining their responsibilities. 3. Department of Public Safety Oath of Office, Badge Pinning and Police Academy Commencement On Monday, May 31, 2021, Governor Oliver attended a Department of Public Safety function that combined the oath of administration, badge pinning, personnel inspection, and the commencement of Pohnpei State Police Academy Cycle #6. Opening the ceremony with a word of prayer was Deacon William Ioanis who is also a Pohnpei State Police Captain. Welcoming remarks were made by the Director of the Department of Public Safety, Mr. Patrick Carl. Pohnpei State Chief Justice, Hon. Nelson Joseph administered the oath of office to the officers, which was followed by a badge pinning by the wives and family members of the Police Officers. In his remarks, Governor Oliver congratulated the Police Officers for completing their training. He thanked the Pohnpei State Legislature for supporting the procurement of new uniforms for Pohnpei’s Police Officers. He called for the Police Officer’s continued service to the community they serve. Governor Oliver called for duty above self. He thanked the Police Officers for their important service to the community, maintaining the peace and safety of Pohnpei, telling them “Please know that we appreciate what you do, every day”. Governor Oliver shared three virtues that he has shared with previous officers, students, and citizens: Respect, Responsibility, and Honesty. He said, it’s up to you to follow and apply this, whether you are in uniform or not. He closed by sharing an important ability to complement all the training they have had so far, discernment. Governor Oliver stated, with all the knowledge, skills, and energy, they will need to know when and where to apply what has been learned