March 11, 2024

Thank you, Mr. Speaker for according me this opportunity to share, this time not so much on accomplishments as we are just getting started but to give noteworthy accounts of what happened within the few weeks on the job that will require our collective attention and dialog. In addition, to acknowledge headways in our deliberate efforts to organize our new administration so we can get on with our primary purpose: To serve our People to the best of our collective abilities for the next 4 years and beyond, for the better, given the good fortune of increased financial resources and opportunities available to us as leaders to manage and invest to improve the lives of people going forward. Video Link: https://fb.watch/qKl7jD3-Da/ At the outset, even before all of us were sworn-in to take on our individual and collective roles and duties as leaders of our State, a full-blown natural crisis was already in effect, yet unbeknownst to most, if not all of us. Far from being physically, albeit mentally, settled into a make-shift shelter still undergoing renovation on January 09, 2024 as the Governor’s Office, the impact of the crisis was already a threat. On January 10, 2024, the first order of business for this administration was already ripe waiting for Governor’s immediate review and appropriate action. A very dry weather condition from lack of rainfall for several months prior due to 2023-2024 El Nino’ had caused a severe drought that affected the main island of Pohnpei, the lagoon islets, and all of the outer-island to an extent where potable water for “drinking and cooking”, especially on the islands and in remote communities not connected to the central water system, were either lacking or critically low in supply therefore effecting normal livelihood of a significant portion of our population. The matter was immediately brought to the attention of the responsible government stakeholders to canvass the situation and prescribe immediate measures to address/remedy it, as the impact at the outlying community households, schools, health clinics, private operations and others were acutely disconcerting. While the matter was being addressed, the Pohnpei Utilities Corporation reported that the main water supply for the central water system was drying up and it had affected every customer, home, government operations and private businesses connected to it. The crisis then became statewide in scope. On January 12, 2024 with the veracity of information available to me and with recommendations provided by the appropriate authorities, I declared a State of Emergency for Pohnpei State through Emergency Declaration 2024-01. While preparation to address the crisis was just beginning to get underway, as if what was already on our hands was not serious and grave enough, a fire was reported from the dumpsite in Dekehtik in the early afternoon of that day that turned into a raging blaze in the evening and a threatening inferno throughout the night that impacted the entire seaport and airport operations that lasted more than a week. It was not a coincidence; it is a well-established risk expected during drought situations. As more dreadful and disturbing information were revealed afterwards about the storage contents of the warehouses located nearby that conflagration, we realized that a major catastrophe was unwittingly averted if it was not for the heroic efforts of those workers from PPA, PTA, PUC, DPS, private volunteers and many others who joined in to work all night incessantly to contain that raging fire. I want Pohnpei State Leaders to join Lt. Governor and I to thank these brave souls/people for their life-saving effort/work without which catastrophic and serious damages could have resulted that fateful night. To add to the extent of the crisis, risks caused by the drought, on the subsequent days, brush fires were reported for various parts of the main island that were also threatening to the nearby homes and the surrounding environments. While the effect of El Nino’ was still seething, on January 23, 2024, Sea Level Rise, a Climate Change phenomenon, wreaked havoc on the coastal regions of Pohnpei and all the outer-islands. High surfs and waves from the king tides were reported to have affected the northern side of Pohnpei including most of the outer-islands where some of them, especially the island of Nukuoro, sustained damages to their taro patches and other crops from inundation of salt water for the waves. This occurrence further compounded the crisis on hand. Assistance from many benevolent organizations, programs, individuals, businesses, and offices were swift to come to the aid of those affected communities. Relief supplies and potable water were donated and were able to be shipped out to all the outer islands to assist those affected people in need through transportation assistance from the US, Australia, FSM, and NFC. I want to take this opportunity to them including organizations, NGOs, private businesses, individuals, and others who helped out on the need during this crisis such as IOM, DECEM, various Private businesses, individuals and organizations. A list of more than 30 donors and supporters will be verified and properly recognized asap for this purpose. While placating the crisis was at the fore, the normal business of governing continued unhindered to ensure priority matters were attended to accordingly to enable our new administration to secure the key positions/cabinets needed to get on with our primary business of serving the People. Between Lt. Governor and I, we consult to identify individuals we believe in their abilities, commitments, and trust to carry out the important leadership responsibilities of overseeing the services of programs and sectors under this new administration. We have 6 department directors and 6 office administrators/executive directors to appoint, subject to the 11th Pohnpei Legislatures’ consent. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank you and your colleagues/ our representatives, for confirming the cabinet nominations for the Department of Education, Department of Land, the Attorney General, and the Administrator of the Office T&I. Pending before the Legislature now, are the remaining nominees for the Departments of Heath, Finance, R&D and Public Safety and the Office of