March 16, 2022

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GOVERNOR OLIVER SWEARS IN MR. AURELIO JOAB TO POHNPEI PORT AUTHORITY BOARD OF DIRECTORS

GOVERNOR OLIVER SWEARS IN MR. AURELIO JOAB TO POHNPEI PORT AUTHORITY BOARD OF DIRECTORS In a short ceremony at the Governor’s cabinet conference room on Wednesday, March 16, 2022, Governor Oliver administered the oath of administration to Mr. Aurelio Joab as the newest member of the Pohnpei Port Authority (PPA) Board of Directors. Mr. Joab was accompanied by his wife, Mrs. Mary Joab who held the Bible during the swearing-in ceremony. In his remarks, Governor Oliver noted that Mr. Joab’s appointment completes the selection of the PPA Board of Directors. He thanked Speaker Yamaguchi and the 10th Pohnpei State Legislature for their support of his nomination and PPA for their ongoing work, especially during the present COVID-19 pandemic. He underscored the important work of PPA as the responsible agency for entrance into Pohnpei State. in Pohnpei’s transportation and economic sectors. Governor Oliver challenged Mr. Joab and the Board of Directors to review, update or amend current policies and practices as needed to continue the important work of serving the people of Pohnpei. Before presenting Mr. Aurelio with his certificate of appointment, Speaker Marvin T. Yamaguchi also delivered remarks to thank Governor Oliver for his nomination of Mr. Joab. He congratulated Mr. Joab on behalf of the 10th Pohnpei State Legislature, noting his previous work and experience as a former State Senator representing the Municipality of U will benefit the Board of Directors and PPA. Mr. Aurelio also delivered remarks to express his gratitude to the Governor, Speaker Yamaguchi, 10th Pohnpei State Legislature including Chairman of the Public Works, Transportation and Communication Committee, Senator Herolynn Movick, PPA Board Chairperson and fellow Board members, and PPA staff. He noted the importance of PPA’s responsibility with regard to transportation and economic development and pledged to collaborate with PPA management, executive, and legislative branches to carry out his duties and responsibilities as a member of the PPA Board of Directors. Also present for the oath of administration was Acting PPA General Manager, Mr. Zorro Donre, PPA Board members: Mr. Joseph Saimon, Mr. Brandon Tara and Ms. MaryAnn Eperiam, Acting PPA Marketing Manager Mr. Coltrick Albert, Facilities, Maintenance, and infrastructure development Manager Mr. Bronson Sam and Executive Secretary Josepha Felix, along with other PPA staff, family and friends of Mr. Aurelio Joab.

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Governor Oliver joins First Lady of Pohnpei to celebrate International Womans Day

Governor Reed B. Oliver joined the First Lady of Pohnpei, Mrs. Estle G. Oliver, to celebrate International Women’s Day under the banner/theme: Break the Bias and Women in Leadership, achieving an equal future in a COVID-19 world, at the Kolonia-China Friendship Gymnasium on Tuesday, March 8, 2022. In her welcoming remarks, the First Lady of Pohnpei, Mrs. Estle G. Oliver, acknowledged and welcomed all distinguished guests to the important event. She noted the passing of Public Law 10L-75-22, establishing March 8, Women’s Day, as a legal public holiday in Pohnpei, and recognized the introducers of the bill that became law, Senators Shelten Neth and McGarry Miguel. Other speakers who participated in the event included Mrs. Suwanna Lawrence who gave the keynote address and shared useful and empowering statistics around breaking the bias and women in leadership in Pohnpei. Mrs. Norleen O. Deorio, Chief of Primary Healthcare spoke on behalf of the Director of Health to update all on the current vaccination and COVID-19 response efforts in Pohnpei. Ambassadors H.E. Carmen Cantor and H.E. Joanne Cowley along with U.N. Resident Coordinator Jaap Van Hierden also spoke to congratulate and mark the special occasion with updates from their organization’s gender and social programs. Other speakers of the day included Ms. Monique Poll from the Pohnpei Consumer Organization and IsoNahnken of Nett, T.H. Salvador Iriarte. This year, a pageant was held to choose the International Women’s Day Queen. Contestants from each of the Women’s organizations were chosen to represent and compete for the title of Queen. This year’s International Women’s Day Queen was chosen to be Likend Kelekel Madolenihmw, Mrs. Merleen Martin Hebel. Congratulations Likend Kelekel Madolenihmw! Wasalapalap Isipahu Nahnmwarki of Madolenihmw, IsoNahnken of Nett, and Likend Kelekel Madolenihmw headed the list of honored guests that came out to observe and mark this historic occasion. Speaker Marvin T. Yamaguchi, Vice Speaker McGarry Miguel, Senator Ricky Carl, Senator Shelten Neth, and Senator Aisek Artui represented the 10th Pohnpei State Legislature. Kolonia Town Mayor T.H. Betrigo Jacob and the First Lady of Kolonia Rosa Maria Jacob also attended the event. From the Diplomatic Corps, H.E. Huang Zheng, Chinese Ambassador to the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), H.E. Carmen Cantor, U.S. Ambassador to FSM, U.N. Resident Coordinator Mr. Jiaap Van Hierden, and H.E. Joanne Cowley, Australian Ambassador to the FSM joined the event.