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marshallislandsjournal.com
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This Week's Inside Stories
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| Bikini appeal Oral arguments in the Bikini nuclear compensation appeal have been set for August 7 in Washington, DC. The Bikinians are appealing the dismissal earlier this year of their billion-dollar claim against the United States for damages from the 23 nuclear tests conducted on the atoll. Peace Corps out The American Peace Corps program is pulling out of Kiribati in November after 35 years because of poor domestic air service. Country Director Michael Koffman says the frequent cancellation of domestic flights to some islands where Peace Corps volunteers work do not provide the conditions agreed in order for PCVs to serve the country. There are about 50 US volunteers currently serving in Kiribati in the field of education, health and local government. The country director says if the situation in the domestic service is back to normal, Peace Corps can consider returning to Kiribati. MALG dispute to High Court Whether there will be an election for a new Majuro mayor will be decided by the High Court. Acting Mayor Titus Langrine filed suit in the High Court challenging Attorney General Filimon Manoni’s recent legal opinion that a special election must be held. Marshalls Billfish tournament kicks off The Marshalls Billfish Club's big two-day 26th anniversary fishing tournament kicks off Friday and continues Saturday this weekend. There will be lots of action at Uliga Dock, with fish weigh ins by most boats in the late afternoon both days. Fishermen are competing for $10,000 if they beat Kyle Aliven's 719-pound marlin record, and about $2,000 is up for grabs in both carryover biggest billfish and total tuna categories. 'Without electricity everything will come to a standstill' The government is facing its biggest challenge to raise enough money to buy shipments of fuel to keep power running in the two urban centers in the face of skyrocketing world prices, Finance Minister Jack Ading told an Asian Development Bank/RMI government review meeting Monday. But, said Ading, “without electricity everything will come to a standstill.” This was an essential point to stay focused on as the ADB and the RMI work to align policies that address the problem. |
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NEWS UPDATE:
Friday, July 4, 2008 |
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The Marshall Islands declared a state of economic emergency Thursday afternoon to fast-track domestic energy reduction and cost cutting measures, while lending weight to appeals to donor countries for help. Despite three electricity tariff increases since January, “the national power utilities are projected to face an estimated shortfall of $17.5 million to $21 million over the next 12 months assuming the global trend continues,” said President Litokwa Tomeing in a nationally broadcast statement Thursday. This deficit amounts to close to 20 percent of the entire national budget. The Marshall Islands has enough diesel on island to keep the lights on until the end of August. But the Marshalls Energy Company has already warned Cabinet that it cannot come up with $8.5 million needed by next weekend to pay Seoul-based SK Networks for last month's diesel shipment and a down payment on the next shipment. If the Marshall Islands cannot come up with the money, the likelihood of power rationing - and the possibility of running out of fuel - is looming. In declaring the state of economic emergency, the government's Cabinet ordered the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to seek funding help from the United States, Taiwan, Japan, Australia, other diplomatic allies and donor agencies for fuel to prevent a shut down of power services. Read more about it next week.
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The Higher Achievement Program is now in full swing at Assumption, the 12th year that it has been run for public school sixth and seventh graders.
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to start airline?
By GIFF JOHNSON
A media tycoon who has already invested in Rongelap wants to take his interest one step higher by bringing in a small airplane for outer islands service. Vladimir Gusinksy and Rongelap Mayor James Matayoshi made an air service pitch to Transportation Minister Dennis Momotaro last week. Gusinsky, a multi-millionaire who established the first Russian satellite broadcast TV company seven years ago, is proposing to bring in an 8-10 seat Beechcraft King-200 twin engine plane to service Rongelap and other atolls including, possibly, Bikini. Continued
A media tycoon who has already invested in Rongelap wants to take his interest one step higher by bringing in a small airplane for outer islands service. Vladimir Gusinksy and Rongelap Mayor James Matayoshi made an air service pitch to Transportation Minister Dennis Momotaro last week. Gusinsky, a multi-millionaire who established the first Russian satellite broadcast TV company seven years ago, is proposing to bring in an 8-10 seat Beechcraft King-200 twin engine plane to service Rongelap and other atolls including, possibly, Bikini. Continued
By SUZANNE CHUTARO
Majuro and Ebeye’s energy crisis coupled with rising food costs have reached a critical level for the Marshall Islands. Agitation over the current state of the economy prompted local businessman Ramsey Reimers to host a second government-business forum last Friday at Mon Boknake to address the impending crisis that most are saying will cripple the economy of the Marshall Islands. At the forefront of concerns raised on Friday are the rapidly rising world fuel, energy and food costs that are weighing heavily on the local economy. “Every voyage Matson has increased its fuel surcharges,” said Pacific International Inc. CEO and K&K Corporation co-owner Jerry Kramer. He added that Triple J Payless used to bring in up to eight containers of rice from the US at a time, but that now rice-buying quotas are restricting it to one container of rice per shipment. Six months ago rice used to cost under $7 for a 20-pound bag, but now Kramer says by August the landed cost of rice will be $14 for a 20-pound bag, meaning the retail price will be in the $16-$18 range. Continued
Majuro and Ebeye’s energy crisis coupled with rising food costs have reached a critical level for the Marshall Islands. Agitation over the current state of the economy prompted local businessman Ramsey Reimers to host a second government-business forum last Friday at Mon Boknake to address the impending crisis that most are saying will cripple the economy of the Marshall Islands. At the forefront of concerns raised on Friday are the rapidly rising world fuel, energy and food costs that are weighing heavily on the local economy. “Every voyage Matson has increased its fuel surcharges,” said Pacific International Inc. CEO and K&K Corporation co-owner Jerry Kramer. He added that Triple J Payless used to bring in up to eight containers of rice from the US at a time, but that now rice-buying quotas are restricting it to one container of rice per shipment. Six months ago rice used to cost under $7 for a 20-pound bag, but now Kramer says by August the landed cost of rice will be $14 for a 20-pound bag, meaning the retail price will be in the $16-$18 range. Continued
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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 |
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