November 2022

The UNICEF Pacific Representative, Mr. John Veitch, paid a courtesy call on Governor Oliver at the Governor’s office.   Mr. Veitch provided brief updates on UNICEF operations, explaining that a new country program for the Federated States of Micronesia is waiting to be approved.  He congratulated Governor Oliver and Pohnpei State for their COVID-19 response efforts, saying that immunizations played a major role in Pohnpei’s response.  He noted school closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic have affected learning outcomes for students, highlighting the benefits of Early Childhood Education (ECE) to help with adjustment of learning outcomes.  Mr. Veitch also spoke of the WASH – Water Sanitation and Hygiene program in public schools that helps provide safe drinking water, constructs water treatment tanks and toilets. He thanked Governor Oliver for hosting the UNICEF office in Pohnpei.     Governor Oliver thanked Mr. Veitch for his updates noting that the points he mentioned are in line with Pohnpei State priorities.  Governor Oliver said he is looking forward to continuing working with the UNICEF office, noting the good work that UNICEF Chief, Cromwell Bacareza, has done in Pohnpei raising awareness for WASH activities in public schools and helping the Pohnpei State Department of Health with COVID-19 response efforts.   Joining Mr. Veitch, was Mr. Cromwell Bacareza, Mr. Pius Attandoh, Dr. Farrah Seid, Dechen Zam and Marson Rosario. Joining Governor Oliver was Norleen Deorio, Chief of Public Health, Petetriko Hairens, Public Affairs Officer, Acting Director of Education, Mr. Pressler Martine, Francisco Celestine, Executive Officer of the Pohnpei State Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Shirley Ligohr, Overseas Development Assistance Coordinator and Emerson Eperiam, Protocol Officer.     Mr. Jonathan Veitch, a citizen of the United Kingdom, was appointed to the position of UNICEF Pacific Representative in August 2021 and is based in Suva, Fiji. As the UNICEF Pacific Representative, he oversees UNICEF’s programs and operations in Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.

Kalahngan to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS) Elder Bill Davis, his wife Sister Wanda Davis, Elder John McCune and his wife Sister Debra McCune who came from Guam and Pohnpei Stake President William Rodriguez for their visit to Governor Oliver.   Governor Oliver thanked Elder Davis and McCune for the many contributions that the LDS Church has made to Pohnpei for many years.  He noted their donations of wheelchairs to the hospital, computers to schools and the postivie impact the LDS church has made in the lives of many Pohnpeian families.     Elder Davis and Elder McCune thanked Governor Oliver for his warm welcome.  Elder Davis noted that he has been visiting Pohnpei since 1986 and loves Pohnpei and her people.  They shared their activities in Pohnpei including an earlier visit to the Pohnpei Veterans Association where they donated a computer and printer, and also visits to PICS High School, a Women’s Disability group and Ohwa Christian Academy.  They also shared their continuing mission to help others inspired by the great commandment to love God and love thy neighbor as thy self.   Elder McCUne explained that the LDS church has over 17 million members worldwide and have provided over 100 million dollars worth of humanitarian aid across the world to not just members of their church but all in need.  Both Governor Oliver and the Elders discussed the benefit of providing long term benefits to help people be self reliant with dignity and respect, with Governor Oliver remarking that it is better to teach a man how to fish instead of giving him fish everyday. Governor Oliver thanked the Elders, their wives and Stake President Rodriguez again for their visit and support, including spiritual support offered to many Pohnpeian families.  

Kalahngan to the FSM Secretary of Education, Hon. Gardenia Aisek for her visit to Governor Oliver to seek support of and share the FSM Skills and Employability Enhancement Project, which aims to increase vocational and technical skills opportunities in Pohnpei and across the FSM. Joining Secretary Aisek was Education Advisor, Dr. Natalie Nimer and Career and Technical Education Coordinator, Ms. Rachel Salomon.     The project will be the first time the National Department of Education will work with the World Bank, who will be funding this human development project.     Dr. Natalie Nimer shared the background of this project which started at the 2018 Micronesian Presidents summit and later endorsed at the 2019 State and National Leadership Conference (SNLC).  The project will focus on 12th grade students, offering an intensive one year apprenticeship in areas like carpentry, electrical, IT/Computers, Culinary, Hospitality and book keeping.  The proposed location will be in a section of the former PATS High School in Madolenihmw.     Governor Oliver was very pleased to receive Secretary Aisek and her colleagues and was very happy to hear and support the project plans to increase vocational and technical skills for Pohnpeians and all youth in the FSM.

On Friday, November 4, 2022, Governor Oliver delivered welcoming remarks at the 2022 Joint Economic Management Committee (JEMCO) Meeting at Cantero Hall.  JEMCO Vice Chairman, Lorin Robert, introduced the Governor after U.S. Department of Interior Assistant Secretary for Insular and International Affairs, Carmen Cantor, delivered opening remarks as the Chairwoman for JEMCO.       In his short remarks, Governor Oliver welcomed A/S Cantor and the JEMCO delegation from the U.S. and FSM. He welcomed and recognized the heads of the State delegations, Governor Narruhn from Chuuk, Lt. Governor Arthy Nena from Kosrae and Yap Governor’s Chief of Staff, Mr. Francis Itimai.       He noted that as the last JEMCO meeting under the amended compact, it was fitting to be held in Pohnpei where the first JEMCO meeting was held in August 2003.  He highlighted JEMCO’s work to strengthen the management and accountability of economic assistance provided under the amended compact, noting that more can be done to continue doing this.  Governor Oliver expressed gratitude and appreciation for the longstanding bonds of friendship, cooperation and trust between the USA and each state in the FSM.     Presentations highlighting the Education, Health and Infrastructure sectors were given to the JEMCO members.  A presentation on Audits was also presented by FSM Public Auditor, Mr. Haser Hainrick.     At the conclusion of the meeting a resolution was shared that approved, among other things, the funding for the construction of the Pohnpei Emergency Operations Center (EOC).