April 2023

Peilapalap, Pohnpei: April 20, 2023 – Governor Oliver attended a grand re-opening ceremony at the Pohnpei State Hospital for the Pohnpei State Laboratory. The re-opening of the laboratory marks a significant milestone for the hospital and the people of Pohnpei as it ensures that patients receive timely and accurate diagnostic services.   Before touring the renovated laboratory, Governor Oliver joined the Director of the Department of Health Services, Mr. Wincener David, and Assistant Secretary Moses Pretrick, representing the FSM Department of Health and Social Affairs for a short ceremony in the Hospital Conference room. Mr. Herbert Johnny oversaw the short ceremony as the Master of Ceremonies.   In his remarks, Governor Oliver thanked the FSM National Government for their assistance with securing the grant from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), through Mrs. Lisa Barrow-Kohler. He congratulated Director David and the laboratory staff on the renovation of the laboratory and emphasized the importance of maintenance of the laboratory, pointing out that taking care of small things, like daily maintenance and care, takes care of the bigger things. On behalf of the Speaker of the 10th Pohnpei Legislature, Governor Oliver conveyed his appreciation for the care provided to the people of Pohnpei.   Assistant Secretary Pretrick and Director David also expressed their gratitude and appreciation to Mrs. Lisa Barrow-Kohler for her help with writing and submitting the grant for funding the renovation. Assistant Secretary Pretrick expressed his thanks for CDC’s assistance with this grant and help to all the states during the recent pandemic.   After moving out and starting renovations in March 2022, the upgraded laboratory’s increased diagnostic capabilities will improve patient care and save lives, particularly in cases where timely diagnosis and treatment are essential. The renovation and upgrade project was funded by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity COVID supplement grant for infectious Diseases. The supplement called Enhancing Detection aims to improve laboratory systems.

Peilapalap, Pohnpei: April 19, 2023 – Governor Oliver received officials from the Pacific Community (SPC), who are in Pohnpei to engage with Government leaders, civil society, and community stakeholders to help establish a national human rights institution.   Mr. Ahmed Shahid, Capacity Development Manager, Asia Pacific Forum of National Human Rights Institutions, and Ms. Neomai Maravuakula, Team Leader for Governance and Institutional Strengthening, Human Rights and Social Development Division, Pacific Community (SPC related that the FSM National Government invited SPC in 2017 to assist with establishing a national human rights institution. A visit and report were completed in 2019, but the pandemic caused some delays. The officials are now in Pohnpei and the other four states in the FSM to re-engage with stakeholders and offer support and guidance to establish a national human rights institution.   Governor Oliver welcomed the officials to Pohnpei and expressed his support for their work. He asked the officials to work closely with the Pohnpei State Attorney General, Belsipa Mikehl-Isom, who was present, to ensure that Pohnpei’s unique needs and concerns are considered with the establishment of a national human rights institution.   Also present during the meeting was the Director of the Department of Public Safety, Mr. Patrick Carl, Assistant Attorney General Monaliza Abello-Pangelinan the Chief of Primary Health Care, Norleen Deorio, Overseas Development Assistance Coordinator Shirley-Ann Ligohr and Mr. George Isom, SPC FSM Country Focal Officer (based in Pohnpei).

Peilapalap, Pohnpei: April 14, 2023 – Mr. Luciano D. Abraham was sworn in by Pohnpei State Supreme Court Associate Judge Robert Nakasone in the Governor’s conference room as Mrs. Nanette A. Hallens, Director Abraham’s daughter, held the Bible.   After the oath of administration, Director Abraham delivered remarks conveying his appreciation to Governor Oliver, Acting Governor Ioanis, Speaker Yamaguchi, and the 10th Pohnpei Legislature for the nomination and confirmation as Director. He also thanked the Acting Director of Land, Wallet Elias, and the Department of Land employees for their work. Director Abraham underscored the importance of land in Pohnpeian culture while acknowledging the backlog of work that still exists. He presented a solution that includes computerizing land records for efficiency and to ensure they are not lost in a fire as court records were in 2019. Director Abraham also spoke of the work ethic he expects from his employees, calling attention to the importance of training and pledged to do his best as Director. He closed by sharing that he went to Genesis Hospital for a health check-up to ensure that he can meet the demands of his position as Director and received a positive response.   Speaker Marvin T. Yamaguchi presented a certificate of appointment to Director Abraham after being sworn in and IsoNahnken of Madolenihmw, Administrator of the Office of Transportation and Administration, John Adolph presented congratulatory remarks on behalf of the Acting Governor.   The brief ceremony was well attended by family members and employees from the Department of Land. Pwoud Lepen Palikir, Mr. Wilbur Walter, attended along with Senators from the 10th Pohnpei Legislature including Senator Mitaro Simina who delivered the opening prayer, Senator Ricky Carl, Senator Dahker Daniel, and Senator Wilfred Edmund.

Peilapalap, Pohnpei: April 11, 2023 – The Executive Director of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission, also known as the Tuna Commission, Mrs. Rhea Moss-Christian paid a courtesy call on Governor Reed B. Oliver.  The visit was the first official meeting between Governor Oliver and Executive Director Moss-Christian since she took over the helm of the Tuna Commission in March of 2023.   Rhea Moss-Christian is the first female Executive Director of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission and was also the first woman to chair the Pacific Tuna Commission, a body that brings together all the big fishing nations from Europe, Asia, and North America with developing Pacific nations.  The Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission is a regional fisheries management organization, with its Secretariat based in Pohnpei, responsible for the world’s largest tuna fishery, accounting for approximately 60 percent of the global tuna catch.   During their brief meeting, Executive Director Moss-Christian thanked Governor Oliver and the Pohnpei State Government for their support and assistance over the years and pledged to continue to be good neighbors.  They discussed areas of mutual interest and concern, concluding with Governor Oliver on behalf of the Pohnpei State Government, expressing his gratitude for the courtesy call, and reaffirming assistance and support for the Tuna Commission.   Joining Executive Director Moss-Christian were Finance and Facilities Manager Aaron Nighswander and Executive Assistant Arlene Takesy.

Peilapalap, Pohnpei: April 6, 2023 – Governor Oliver received Mr. Rodger Gardner USAID Country Coordinator, Micronesia who introduced experts from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) who are on the island to look at Pohnpei State water systems.   Mr. Gardner introduced Ms. Angela Sandoval from the US EPA Region 9, based in Guam, who works in the FSM, RMI, and Palau with local governments to identify possible environmental hazards that need to be removed in addition to providing technical expertise for compact projects involving water and sanitation. Mr. Barry Pollack, a retired U.S. EPA employee is assisting Ms. Sandoval in providing consulting services and assisting governments to resolve environmental issues.   Also accompanying Ms. Sandoval and Mr. Pollack was Ms. Susan Jamerson, who works with the U.S. EPA as a contractor. She explained to Governor Oliver that she is assisting Pohnpei State along with Ms. Sandoval and Mr. Pollack, specifically Pohnpei Utilities Corporation (PUC) to identify funding sources for water system projects. One priority water project mentioned by Ms. Jamerson was the replacement of the water tank in Dolonier, Nett.   The team of experts expressed their appreciation for working with PUC and Pohnpei’s EPA on water systems, plans, challenges, and funding solutions. They noted that Mr. Leeronson Hairens from PUC was very helpful in helping them understand Pohnpei’s water system plans and challenges. On behalf of the Pohnpei State Government, Governor Oliver thanked Mr. Gardner, the team of experts from EPA, and the U.S. Government for their support to PUC and EPA on water and environmental issues in Pohnpei and looked forward to further updates and outcomes of projects.   Also joining Governor Oliver was Environmental Protection Agency Executive Officer, Mr. Francisco Celestine, Overseas Development Coordinator, Ms. Shirley Ann Ligohr, and PUC Water Manager Leeronson Hairens.