March 25, 2022

World Bank Representative, Ms. Degi Young, paid a courtesy call on Governor Oliver at the Governor’s cabinet conference room, Peilapalap, Kolonia on, Thursday, March 24, 2022. Ms. Degi Young was accompanied by Ms. Senny Phillip, Assistant Secretary, Investment and International Finance, FSM Department of Finance and Administration. As the World Bank’s Representative to the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), Republic of Palau, and the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI), Ms. Young will establish a sub-regional office for the three countries here in Pohnpei. Degi Young thanked Governor Oliver for hosting the World Bank in Pohnpei and shared, in general, her role as World Bank Representative. Those roles include looking at plans and priorities of the three countries to see how the World Bank can support those plans and priorities, coordination and facilitation of projects within and among the countries, and capacity building and training. Governor Oliver thanked Ms. Young and Ms. Phillip for their courtesy visit, expressing his delight that Pohnpei State can host World Bank’s sub-regional office. Governor Oliver looked forward to Ms. Young’s observations and comments in the coming months. Director of the Department of Resources and Development, Mr. Hubert Yamada, Director of the Department of Treasury and Administration, Acting Administrator of the Office of Transportation and Infrastructure, Mr. Ricky Lebehn, Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) Coordinator, Ms. Shirley Ligohr joined Governor Oliver during the courtesy call. The World Bank is an international organization that provides financing, advice, and research to developing nations to help advance their economies. ·Some ongoing projects in the FSM and Pohnpei are the Prioritized Road Investment and Management Enhancement (PRIME) Project and Pacific Regional Oceanscape Program (PROP), which aims to strengthen the management of oceanic and coastal fisheries and the habitats upon which they depend, and specifically to strengthen the National Oceanic Resource Management Agency (NORMA) responsible for the management of oceanic fisheries. For more information on the World Bank, visit their website: https://www.worldbank.org/en/home

The Pohnpei Catholic High School Debate team met Governor Oliver on Wednesday, March 23, 2022, at the Governor’s cabinet conference room, Peilapalap, Kolonia. The debate team is preparing for the annual state competitions for the FSM law day debates. State competitions will take place on April 5 and 27 and the final National debate will take place on July 12, 2022. The debate topic this year is whether or not the FSM Congress should establish a national minimum wage. Principal Yolanda Nanpei accompanied the eight students who are a mix of juniors and seniors to the meeting with Governor Oliver. The students asked a series of questions to gain more knowledge on the debate topic from the affirmative and negative perspectives. Governor Oliver thanked Principal Nanpei and the students for their visit. He wished them the best in the upcoming debate and encouraged them, as the future of Pohnpei, to continue with their education, stay positive, and not let anyone discourage them in the pursuit of their goals. Joining Governor Oliver to meet with the students was Public Affairs Officer, Mr. Peteriko Hairens, Public Information Mr. Patrick Pedrus, and WD&ST Trainee, Mr. Shane Celestine. Thank you Principal Yolanda Nanpei and the PCS High School Debate team: 1. Sean Troy Moses 2. Nathaniel Mongkeya 3. Kealoha Loyola 4. Deavonie David 5. Jacy Lukan 6. Kaela Talley 7. Tiara Lebehn 8. Jovanee Irons