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Friday, July 11, 2008
| Copra to hit 7,000 tons The combination of high prices and regular shipping service is producing a bumper copra crop this year. Tobolar statistics show that for the first six months of 2008, the RMI is on track to smash last year’s 11-year high of 6,095 tons. From January-June, copra makers produced 3,629.8 tons — which puts them on target for more than 7,000 tons for the calendar year. Ebeye's engines woes Although Ebeye’s power plant is down to only one operating generator and it’s back to the four hours on four hours off power rationing schedule, Foreign Minister Tony deBrum said at Monday’s business-government forum that: “Ebeye may be closer to a power solution than Majuro.” Shipping meeting The Micronesian Shipping Commission held its two-day annual meeting in Majuro this week, with leaders of the three governments in Micronesia joined by officials from the major shipping companies and stevedoring agencies in the north Pacific. Girls die Two Ebeye men are facing involuntary manslaughter charges for the driving deaths of young children last year. John Johnson and Len Abner went for hearings in the High Court last week on involuntary manslaughter and negligent driving charges for separate incidents. |
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E-mail: |
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Phone: |
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Fax:
(692) 625-3136 |
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Mail:
PO Box 14 Majuro, MH 96960 Marshall Islands |
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In Person:
On the ocean road behind Formosa in Uliga, Majuro |
It’s a blink of an eye in millennial terms, but 10 years of our life shows the change in the lagoonside beach at Mile 17 in Ajeltake. The photo at left was taken in 1998, the right recently. A combination of some or all of the following contribute to erosion: sand mining, reef quarrying, land clearing, pollution on the reef that degrades the ability of the reef to produce sand and closure of natural channels by creating causeways.
By SUZANNE CHUTARO
The ability of the Marshall Islands to overcome its current energy crisis depends on whether the US government will play ball with the Marshall Islands, RMI’s Foreign Minister Tony deBrum told a government-business forum Monday. Following Thursday’s declaration of a State of Economic Emergency, a third impromptu business-government forum was arranged by Robert Reimers Enterprises CEO Ramsey Reimers to discuss the cash shortfall facing the nation’s utility companies. MEC is unable by itself to pay the $6.5 million due by July 24 to the South Korea-based fuel company SK Networks. Foreign Minister deBrum told business leaders that the government is working on a solution for the current cash shortfall to pay for fuel to power the utility companies but that “all plans for a short-term solution for the energy problem depend on the US.”
Marshalls Energy Company General Manager Billy Roberts explained the current fuel situation in detail, reassuring the business community that there is enough fuel to keep the the power on until about the third week in August. Roberts clarified that the situation isn’t that utility companies are out of fuel and the lights will go out tomorrow, but that MEC and KAJUR don’t have enough money on hand to pay for the continuing rising world price of fuel.
The ability of the Marshall Islands to overcome its current energy crisis depends on whether the US government will play ball with the Marshall Islands, RMI’s Foreign Minister Tony deBrum told a government-business forum Monday. Following Thursday’s declaration of a State of Economic Emergency, a third impromptu business-government forum was arranged by Robert Reimers Enterprises CEO Ramsey Reimers to discuss the cash shortfall facing the nation’s utility companies. MEC is unable by itself to pay the $6.5 million due by July 24 to the South Korea-based fuel company SK Networks. Foreign Minister deBrum told business leaders that the government is working on a solution for the current cash shortfall to pay for fuel to power the utility companies but that “all plans for a short-term solution for the energy problem depend on the US.”
Marshalls Energy Company General Manager Billy Roberts explained the current fuel situation in detail, reassuring the business community that there is enough fuel to keep the the power on until about the third week in August. Roberts clarified that the situation isn’t that utility companies are out of fuel and the lights will go out tomorrow, but that MEC and KAJUR don’t have enough money on hand to pay for the continuing rising world price of fuel.
The US government “recognizes the seriousness of the situation” in the RMI “and will attempt to respond positively in accordance with financial regulations of the Compact,” US Ambassador Clyde Bishop told the Journal.
Chief Secretary Casten Nemra met with officials from the US, Taiwan and Japan governments last Thursday just before the state of emergency was announced on V7AB to discuss the emergency declaration and RMI plans. “While the plan covered a lot of areas, it was general in nature as to specific assistance from the countries represented at the meeting,” Bishop said. “The RMI promised to provide individual requests to the respective governments as soon as possible.
“As reflects the history of the relationship between the RMI and the US, a commitment to work for the improvement of the quality of life for Marshallese citizens is ever present.”
Chief Secretary Casten Nemra met with officials from the US, Taiwan and Japan governments last Thursday just before the state of emergency was announced on V7AB to discuss the emergency declaration and RMI plans. “While the plan covered a lot of areas, it was general in nature as to specific assistance from the countries represented at the meeting,” Bishop said. “The RMI promised to provide individual requests to the respective governments as soon as possible.
“As reflects the history of the relationship between the RMI and the US, a commitment to work for the improvement of the quality of life for Marshallese citizens is ever present.”
Anja wins President's Cup
Skipper Anja Antakbon was the hands-down winner of the 2007-08 President’s Cup with 3,713.5 points, 836 points ahead of second place winner Kyle Aliven, who earned 2,877.5 points over the year. Anja, fishing with Team MEC Brits Too, brought home a 106-pound tuna on the first day of fishing in the 26th July Annual Tournament. The team also tagged and released a billfish, earning them another 250 points. Kyle, fishing with Team Dragon, brought home a couple of yellowfin tuna (85 pounds and 75 pounds) on Friday and an 80-pound piece of sashimi on Saturday.
Skipper Anja Antakbon was the hands-down winner of the 2007-08 President’s Cup with 3,713.5 points, 836 points ahead of second place winner Kyle Aliven, who earned 2,877.5 points over the year. Anja, fishing with Team MEC Brits Too, brought home a 106-pound tuna on the first day of fishing in the 26th July Annual Tournament. The team also tagged and released a billfish, earning them another 250 points. Kyle, fishing with Team Dragon, brought home a couple of yellowfin tuna (85 pounds and 75 pounds) on Friday and an 80-pound piece of sashimi on Saturday.
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