September 2021

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE    The Office of the Governor and Pohnpei COVID-19 Emergency Task Force would like to notify the public that of the eighty-five (85) repatriated travelers who arrived on September 16, 2021, two (2) tested positive for SARS CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, on day 7 of quarantine, September 23, 2021.   As per protocol, the two (2) positive travelers were placed in isolation, along with their three contacts, who were tested negative.  Additional testing conducted the following day on September 24, 2021 confirmed that the two positive travelers are negative.    As a precautionary measure, the two travelers and their contacts will remain in isolation for 14 days, per protocol.    There still remains 33 repatriated travelers in quarantine who will be completing 14 days of quarantine.    We ask the public to remain calm and remind everyone to take every action to minimize the potential spread of COVID-19:       If you have not been vaccinated, please get vaccinated as soon as possible Wash your hands frequently and properly Practice proper hygiene and sanitation, including cleaning and disinfection of regularly touched surfaces   The Office of the Governor continues to work with the Department of Health Services and COVID-19 Emergency Task Force to keep the public updated on Pohnpei’s COVID-19 response efforts.  Please contact the COVID-19 hotline at 320-3109 for any questions or concerns.   

Four employees of the Pohnpei State Government, including the Director of Treasury and Administration, Christina Elnei, Acting Executive Officer of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Francisco Celestine, Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) Coordinator, Shirley-Ann Ligohr, and Strickson Silbanuz from the Office of Transportation and Infrastructure, graduated from a five-month online course on Thursday, September 15, 2021, in a short graduation ceremony that was held at Island Palms restaurant in Kolonia. The five-month course, entitled “Project management course” was held online and funded by the US Agency for International Development (USAID) in collaboration with the FSM Government through a partnership between the College of Micronesia-FSM (COM-FSM), and the University of South Pacific/Pacific TAFE (USP/Pacific TAFE). The course delivered project management skills to participants involved in the management of climate change adaptation projects at State, National, and/or community levels. Successful participants were awarded a USP/Pacific TAFE Certificate IV in Project Management Practice. Representing the Governor of Pohnpei, T.H. Reed B. Oliver at the graduation ceremony was Mr. Peteriko Hairens, Public Affairs Officer, who joined H.E. Carmen Cantor, US Ambassador to the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), and FSM Secretary of Finance, T.H. Eugene Amor to congratulate and present certificates of completion to the participants. Congratulations to all the participants!

On Thursday, September 16, 2021, another group of repatriated residents and citizens arrived in Pohnpei after 10 days of pre-quarantine in Guam. They are now in quarantine at Dekehtik. A new and deadly COVID-19 virus strain, Delta Variant, is spreading at an alarming rate, affecting the world, across the US including Hawaii and Guam, our gateways to Pohnpei and our islands. Our only sure safeguard from this deadly variant to our families, friends, communities, states, and the nation is to fully comply with the established medical procedures to ensure protection through proper management of a quarantining process. Doctors and medical experts have credited Pohnpei’s success so far in preventing the virus from entering Pohnpei to its quarantine operation and process in Dekehtik. The basic premise of Pohnpei’s quarantine success so far has been the hearts of those people who care and comply with the established procedures and rules. We thank you all for your patience and understanding. For the latest group, Pohnpei State Government leadership extends reverence and sincere gratitude to Wasalapalap Isipahu, His Majesty Herbet Hebel, for his exemplary deeds and unspeakable humility that speaks volumes to the premium he exacts on the value of humanity – the safety of the very lives of his own people here in Pohnpei. As the Paramount Traditional Chief of Pohnpei, His Majesty not only humbly complies with the quarantine rules so he can help save the lives of his people but exemplifies what a true leader should do in times of hardship and difficulty. These rules and procedures are His, made specifically to protect his kingdom from being decimated by this deadly virus. With the COVID -19 delta variant on the rise, particularly in Guam, the risk of bringing this deadly virus to Pohnpei on any vessel by air or sea any day now is a real threat. It is very important to know that the delta variant spreads faster and has a shorter incubation period. The people of Pohnpei as a community are asked to be mindful to support what the COVID-19 Task Forces and supporting agencies are doing. They are tirelessly working on prevention. Preventing that deadly variant from entering our Island and infecting our communities. Thanks to Isipahu, for supporting these unrelenting efforts with his example to comply with prevention efforts. Right now, no one, including medical experts and scientists, can be 100% certain that the variant will not enter Pohnpei and FSM. Therefore, we need to, again and again, emphasize and urge everyone who can be vaccinated to please get fully vaccinated as soon as possible. At the same time, we all should remain steadfast with the health and sanitary habits of simple hand washing and other appropriate health practices and etiquettes. Our vaccination efforts focus on everyone eligible to receive the vaccine. Yes, it is your choice, but we implore everyone to please think of it as a way to protect yourself and others, especially your very own loved ones. This is crucial at this point, because of the imminent threat of the delta variant. Our records are still showing a significant number of residents that are eligible for vaccination remain unvaccinated at this point. The higher the percentage of vaccination in Pohnpei the safer our families and our people will be. Thanks to our Paramount Chief, Wasalapalap Isipahu, His Majesty Herbet Hebel, and Likend Kelekel. Let us pray for their safe passage, and the rest of the repatriates, through this process and pay respect to his leadership by example. When every resident and citizen follows this example, Pohnpei will be blessed and remain safe from COVID-19 for a long time to come.

On Thursday, September 16, 2021, Governor Oliver and Speaker Edwin received the Joint Committee on Compact Review and Planning (JCRP) at the Governor’s Conference Room, Peilapalap, Kolonia. Members of the Governor’s cabinet and the 10th Pohnpei State Legislature also joined the meeting with JCRP Chairman, Asterio Takesy, Executive Administrator, Ehpel Ilon, and Pohnpei’s representatives on the JCRP, Vice Speaker Esmond Moses, and FSM Ambassador to the USA, Akilino Susaia. During the meeting, Pohnpei representative to JCRP, Ambassador Susaia informed Governor Oliver that there have been two rounds of negotiations so far with the United States of America since the start of negotiations in May 2020. He explained that part of the reason why there have not been more rounds of negotiations is because of the COVID-19 pandemic and also the recent change of administration in the US government, with some members of the negotiation team no longer working for the current administration. The JCRP team noted that while they are hopeful for successful negotiations, they are waiting for an official reply from the US negotiation team to continue. Governor Oliver thanked Chairman Takesy, Ambassador Susaia, and the rest of the JCRP team for updating the Pohnpei State Leadership. Moving forward and to be on the same page, he created a joint executive/legislative committee that will engage with JCRP to ensure Pohnpei State is updated and Pohnpei interests are considered as negotiations continue. The Joint Committee on Compact Review and Planning (JCRP) of the Federated States of Micronesia was established as a joint committee of national executive and legislative branches and state representatives to prepare for the expiration of certain economic and financial provisions of the Amended Compact of Free Association between the Federated States of Micronesia and the United States of America in 2023. You can visit their website at: https://jcrp.gov.fm/ 80 People Reached 14 Engagements Boost Post 55

Governor Reed B. Oliver and First Lady Estle G. Oliver joined President of the Federated States of Micronesia, David W. Panuelo, First Lady Patricia Edwin, and Chinese Ambassador to the FSM, H.E. Huang Zheng, and his wife at the Pohnpei Secondary Road Project hand-over ceremony on September 17, 2021, at the China Railway Construction Company (CRCC) compound in Lukop, Madolenihmw. The hand-over ceremony marked the completion and turnover of secondary roads in the municipality of Madolenihmw. In a symbolic hand-over, an image of a section of the road was passed from the Chinese Government to the FSM Government and finally to the Pohnpei State and local Madolenihmw municipal government.  Governor Oliver noted that the secondary roads will not only benefit the people of Madolenihmw but everyone who visits Pohnpei in the years to come.  On behalf of the people of Pohnpei, Governor Oliver thanked the Chinese government, CRCC, and the team leader and crew who worked tirelessly on the secondary roads, and looked forward to more projects to benefit the people of Pohnpei.  Also in attendance were Secretary of the FSM Department of Foreign Affairs Khandi Elieisar, Speaker of the 10th Pohnpei State Legislature Stevick Edwin, and IsoNahnken of Madolenihmw, John A. Adolph representing Wasalapalap Isipahu Nahnmwarki of Madolenihmw. First Lady Estle G. Oliver joined First Lady of FSM, Patricia Edwin, and Mrs. Zheng in a ribbon and cake cutting ceremony to end the event.

On Thursday, September 2, 2021, Governor Oliver joined US Ambassador to the FSM, H.E. Carmen Cantor in a handover ceremony at the Pohnpei Public Broadcasting Corporation (PPBC/V6AH).  The ceremony was to mark the handover of $237,444 in grant assistance from the US Department of Interior to PPBC.  After welcoming remarks by the PPBC Board of Directors Secretary, Mrs. Brenda Hadley-Eperiam, PPBC Commissioner Peterson Sam, gave the Governor, Ambassador Cantor, and US Embassy staff a quick tour of the V6AH radio station. The grant assistance will allow PPBC/V6AH to purchase important items that will improve their emergency preparedness response, increase their broadcast capacity and help with communications and energy efficiency.  The items include an AM transmitter, FM transmitter, VoIP phone system, and solar panels.  On behalf of the Governor of Pohnpei, V6AH Commissioner, Peterson Sam, thanked Ambassador Cantor, the US Department of Interior, and the US Government for their valuable assistance.   Joining Governor Oliver was Mr. Peteriko Hairens, Pohnpei State Public Affairs Officer and Ms. Shirley-Ann Ligohr, External Assistance Coordinator, and joining Ambassador Cantor was Ms. Cheryl Burkindine, and Andrew Posner, Public Affairs Officer.