October 13, 2022

Governor Oliver and Director of the Department of Treasury and Administration, Ms. Christina Elnei, welcomed Pacific Island Development Bank (PIDB) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and President Lindsay Timarong and Manager of Administration Rosa D.L.S. Weilbacher to the Governor’s Office.     Both President Timarong and Mrs. Weilbacher are in Pohnpei to attend the 39th General Assembly of the Association of Pacific Island Legislatures (APIL), October 11 – 15, 2022.     During their brief visit, President Timarong presented Governor Oliver with a report on PIDB’s history and operations. They also briefly discussed administrative issues relating to the PIDB Board of Governors.  Governor Oliver, Director Elnei, and Mr. Carlos Villazon from the Pohnpei Legislature Budget Office are currently members of the Board of Governors, representing Pohnpei.     Joining Governor Oliver during the meeting were Public Affairs Officer Peteriko Hairens and Protocol Officer Emerson Eperiam.     “The mission and purpose of the Pacific Island Development Bank are to contribute to the acceleration of the process of economic and social development of the Member States and nations, individually and collectively, and to promote economic cooperation among them. Members are shareholders and consist of the governments of the Territory of Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the four state governments of the Federated States of Micronesia, namely Chuuk State, Kosrae State, Pohnpei State, and Yap State, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Republic of Palau, and the Kwajalein Atoll Development Authority as an associate member. The bank has been and continues to be a catalyst for various credit needs and community programs that fit the diverse demands of our peoples.”     For more information on the PIDB, please visit their website at: https://pacificidb.com/

Governor Oliver recently attended a welcome ceremony for the new General Manager of the Pohnpei Port Authority (PPA) at the PPA building in Dekehtik.     Chairwoman of the PPA Board of Directors, Mrs. Limanman Helgenberger delivered remarks to welcome Governor Oliver and congratulate the new General Manager of the Pohnpei Port Authority (PPA) Mr. Grilly Jack.  She highlighted Mr. Jack’s essential responsibilities as General Manager, which includes overseeing almost all the access points to Pohnpei State, and on behalf of the board pledged to continue to work with the Governor and PPA staff to support the new General Manager.     In his remarks, Governor Oliver congratulated Mr. Grilly Jack on his position as the new General Manager of PPA. He noted the important role that PPA, including the board of directors,  has played at the airport and seaport, with transportation and especially during the last two years, in keeping the COVID-19 virus out of Pohnpei. He expressed gratitude for the important work that PPA has done and encouraged them to continue to move forward under the new leadership of  General Manager Grilly Jack.     General Manager Grilly Jack delivered remarks thanking Governor Oliver, the PPA Board of Directors, and staff for their support.  He asked for the board and employees to work together to support the ongoing important work of the Pohnpei Port Authority.     PPA is mandated by Pohnpei State Law to be responsible for the development, management, operation, and maintenance of Pohnpei ports and facilities. Furthermore, the law provides that “because of the distance between the islands of this State and their remoteness from large commercial centers of the world, transportation constitutes a vital link in the State’s efforts toward social development and economic self-sufficiency”.     Master of Ceremonies during the event was Mr. Joab Paul, Chief of Airport Police.     More information on PPA can be found on their website: http://ppa.fm/