Japan helps RMI water company

A large group turned out at the airport water reservoirs for the handover of two excavators from the Japan government to Majuro Water and Sewer Company. Photo: Hilary Hosia.
A large group turned out at the airport water reservoirs for the handover of two excavators from the Japan government to Majuro Water and Sewer Company. Photo: Hilary Hosia.

HILARY HOSIA
For more than 20 years, Majuro Water and Sewer Company (MWSC) has been a beneficiary of the people and government of Japan through the Japan Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Project.

This support ranges from a project to provide a public water supply in 1998 to a handover ceremony of two excavators at the water reservoir area last Friday.

MWSC General Manager Joseph Batol recognized the shared partnership with Japan in his opening remarks and extended gratitude to Japan Ambassador Hideyuki Mitsuoka.

Ambassador Mitsuoka shared brief comments following Batol’s speech saying the people and government of Japan are happy to assist improvement of services at MWSC.

The equipment donated is valued at $90,800.

Minister of Works, Infrastructure and Utilities Tony Muller lightened up the mood with his charismatic speech. He described the handover (and past handovers) as becoming a routine between him and Ambassador Mitsuoka, where he said he’s always happy to be at the receiving end: “If this was football, you’d be the quarterback and I’d be a receiver.”

Pastor George Hainrick blessed the equipment.

Read more about this in the May 18, 2018 edition of the Marshall Islands Journal.