RMI aims to fix spending issues

RMI officials got together to sign an agreement following a meeting to sort out details for improving drawdown and use of federal funding.
RMI officials got together to sign an agreement following a meeting to sort out details for improving drawdown and use of federal funding.

RMI government leaders signed an agreement aimed at improving the flow of funding within government, particularly related to the Ministry of Health and Human Services.

The Ministry of Health and Human Services met last month with the US Association of State and Territorial Health Officials, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Pacific Island Health Officers Association last month to improve the timely drawdown and use of US federal funds.

The one-day meeting focused on inefficient practices and policies in government, and recommended improvement for key business processes; garnering support for recommended improvements from ministry partners; and developing an action plan for implementing recommended improvements across ministries.

Attending the meeting were representatives from MOHHS, the Ministry of Finance, Office of the Chief Secretary, Office of Attorney General, and the Public Service Commission.

Concluding the meeting, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed among the MOHHS, Finance, PSC, Office of the Attorney General, and Office of the Chief Secretary. Signing the MOU were Health Minister Kalani Kaneko, Finance Minister Brenson Wase, Chief Secretary Ben Graham, Acting Attorney General Claire Loeak, and PSC Commissioner Justina Langidrik.

Read more about this in the June 1, 2018 edition of the Marshall Islands Journal.