Topic: RMINews

Breaking News, March 15: The RMI Office of the President, in an email to Yokwe Online today, refuted the report of 24 typhoid cases stating that "according Ministry of Health, there are no unusual rises to the disease."

"However, there are 5 cases, since January which is lower than last year, and MOH continues to monitor the cases one by one as they come to their attention. If in fact there are any disease outbreaks in the RMI, the MOH and the government will move to inform and minimize its effects," said Bob Jericho, public relations specialist.

Twenty-Four Cases of Typhoid on Majuro, Marshalls

Two US Center for Disease Control (CDC) doctors are on Majuro trying to locate the source of an outbreak of Typhoid Fever. Currently, there are 24 cases of this bacterial infection on the capital atoll in the Republic of the Marshall Islands, according to Dr. Alex Pinano.

The disease, most often caused by fecal contamination in the water supply, appears to be coming from the Rita area, Dr. Pinano told Chamber of Commerce members at the regular monthly meeting on March 13, 2007.

New Taiwan Ambassador to Marshall Islands Pledges to Strengthen Relations

In his first public appearance in the Marshall Islands, Republic of China Ambassador Bruce J.D. Linghu reaffirmed the Government of Taiwan's willingness to assist the small Pacific nation in achieving its national development goals.

On Monday, March 5, the newly-appointed Taiwan Ambassador visited the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) Ministry of Affairs, presented his credential to RMI President Kessai H. Note, and attended the ROC-RMI Solar Home Systems Donation Ceremony.

Marshall Islands Gets 500,000 Euros for NGO Capacity Building

A European Union-sponsored initiative, to benefit Marshall Islands non-governmental organizations, was signed into effect in Majuro on February 27. The Marshall Islands Non-State Actors Capacity Building Programme (MINSAP) will receive EU $500,000 over three years to assist the NGO's in better delivery of services to the disadvantaged sectors of society. "This is a very worthy cause and something that is at the heart of the Cotonou Agreement, which aims to eradicate poverty by 2020," said Malcom Ponton, the attache to the RMI, Palau and FSM European Commission Office.

To reach this step of the project's financing agreement was "a struggle, but one worth doing, for the benefit of the Republic of the Marshall Islands and its NGO community," said RMI Finance Minister Brenson Wase, during the short ceremony. >>more>>

ALSO:
• Statement of Malcolm Ponton for Marshall Islands Non-State Actors Capacity Building Programme
• Statement of Minister of Finance Brenson Wase at Signing Ceremony

Statement of Malcolm Ponton for Marshall Islands Non-State Actors Capacity Building Programme

Hon. Wase, Minister of Finance and NAO
Ladies and gentlemen:

It is a great pleasure for me to be here today to sign the finance Agreement for the Marshall Islands Non-State Actors Capacity Building Programme (MINSAP).

Marshall Islands: Dry Spells May Follow El Nino Year

After several months of dry spell in Majuro, rain alleviated the situation beginning in mid-February. On February 21, the National Weather Service reported that a near-equatorial trough is producing scattered showers in southern Micronesia and the Marshall Islands.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the rainfall throughout the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) during 2006 was near normal at some locations and a bit below normal at others. El Niño-related tropical cyclone activity that was anticipated in the Marshalls during the final months of 2006 into January 2007 did not occur.

Solar Systems for Outer Islands Arrive in Marshalls

New Solar Home Systems for the Marshalls' outer islands arrived in Majuro last Tuesday, February 20. Valued at $3 million dollars, the solar project is a joint venture of the Republic of China (ROC) and Taiwan’s MOTECH Industries Inc., a leading manufacturer of solar equipment.

A MOTECH delegation, including General Manager Luke Chang and six solar power engineers, was scheduled to arrive Monday, February 26, in the Republic of the Marshall Islands' (RMI) capital atoll of Majuro. They will provide on-site installation training courses to their Marshallese counterpart Marshall Energy Company (MEC).

BREAKING NEWS: DeBrum Ahead for Kwajalein in Unofficial Tally

Tony deBrum, a former Senator and Minister in the previous Republic of the Marshall Islands' Administration, is leading opponents in the special Kwajalein senatorial race. Wednesday, as of noon, Marshall Islands time, deBrum has 461 votes posted from Kwajalein. The tally so far for other candidates is: Ataji Balos, 100; Noda Lojkar, 48, Julian Riklon, 39, and Bob Jericho, 38. >>>more to come>>>

Marshalls' Parliament Votes to Recess

Marshall Islands parliament voted to recess yesterday until two new senators from Kwajalein and Enewetak are elected and seated. The first roll call vote, during regular session on Monday, February 19, was a tie (12 - 12). Several of the Nitijela members were not present. The Speaker of the Nitijela Litowa Tomeing broke the tie, favoring a recess and siding with the minority party.

The dramatic vote came following several days of debate on the issue.

Pending Legislation Not Good for SS System, says Administrator

The Administrator for The Republic of the Marshall Islands Social Security Administrator (MISSA) said Monday that legislation being considered in the nation's parliament could be devastating to the system. Bill 57, which sets to abolish the Earnings Test, would mean $2 Million in additional benefits to be paid out from MISSA every year. "The additional benefit payments will go to those who are retired, working, under the age of 62 and making wages above $1,500 per quarter," said Saane K. Aho, in an email explanation.

Those who oppose the legislation say that the amendment will not “financially improve” the situation for MISSA as well as jepardizing benefits for future generations of Marshallese and local workers. An additional $2 Million in benefit payments would force MISSA to dip into its Trust Fund and could bankrupt the system, Aho said.

College of Marshall Islands No Longer on Probation Status

At its bi-annual accreditation meeting, The Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, Western Association of Schools and Colleges, (ACCJC-WASC) lifted the College of the Marshall Islands from probation status. The College was placed on warning on the basis of a "Focused Midterm with Visit" during the January 10-12, 2007 session.

For the past four years, the Republic of the Marshall Islands' (RMI) only community college, located in the capital atoll of Majuro, has been under probation or show cause status.

Marshall Islands: New System to Help with Cash Management

Fiscal officers of the Marshall Islands' public sector have a better perspective on the realities and challenges facing the Government following a consultation with the Pacific Financial Technical Assistance Centre in Majuro last month.

"As long as we continue to improve the fiscal management and capacity of all fiscal officers, we have a chance to overcome these fiscal challenges," said Bruce Bilimon, an Assistant Secretary of Budget for the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) Ministry of Finance.

ALSO: Statement of Minister of Finance Brenson Wase at Cash Management Workshop

Disagreement over Marshall Islands Dry-Dock Continues

A public hearing on the latest floating dry-dock proposal was attended by only about 30 people, but has raised significant controversy among a wide-range of stakeholders in the Marshall Islands' capital atoll of Majuro. Community leaders and residents were taken aback by the abrupt announcement of a public hearing during which the EPA's approval of the project at a site in Delap was announced.

Following the hearing, Dan Smith, whose property will be impacted by the 100-foot floating ship repair facility, has voiced his objections on the Marshallese website, Yokwe Online. Calling the proposed facility "a monstrosity," Smith said he plans to contribute to "what will surely require a strong, determined effort to keep the Ching Fu Cabinet-backed dry-dock away from our house in Delap."

Marshall Islands a No-Show at Committee on the Rights of Child Review

For the second time, the Marshall Islands did not attend a review before the Committee on the Rights of the Child. The CRC is meeting this month for the 44th Session in Geneva. On Monday, January 22, the Pacific nation was scheduled to appear to present its second periodic state report of how the country is implementing the provisions of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. The Marshalls' UN Mission in New York sent word that it would not be sending a delegation.

The Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) failed to appear at the original review date in May of 2006 and did not offer any advance warning for their absence at that time, according to the CRC Committee.

Marshall Islands President to Visit Three Western States

This week, the President of the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) will make his second visit in eight months to the Pacific Northwest. On January 27, RMI President Kessai Note will the honored guest at Seattle's Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture for a day-long event featuring Marshallese culture and handicraft exhibits.

During the ten-day official visit, President and First Lady Mary Note will be spending time with hundreds of Marshallese residing in the Seattle area, and traveling to visit with Marshall Islanders in Salem, Oregon, and in Costa Mesa, California.

Taiwan Grant Helps Fund Air Marshall Islands DASH-8

The Government of Taiwan gave two million dollars to the Government of the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) this week to assist the national airline, Air Marshall Islands (AMI), in purchasing the only DASH-8 aircraft presently in service. On behalf of the Repubic of China (ROC), Ambassador Lien-gene Chen presented the donation to RMI Minister of Foreign Affairs Gerald Zackios and Minister of Finance Brenson Wase in a ceremony Tuesday morning, January 23. Witnessing the presentation was Mr. Daniel Fitzpatrick, General Manager of AMI.