Jack Ading

US funds sewer fix

US funds sewer fix

WILMER JOEL A $10.8 million grant agreement was reached between the US and RMI governments last Friday to fix Majuro’s sewage outfall system. The US Department of Agriculture is the lead investor in partnership with the Asian Development Bank for this grant. The US Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Lance Posey told President David Kabua, Minister Jack […]

RMI signs 20-year Compact

RMI signs 20-year Compact

GIFF JOHNSON The Marshall Islands signed off on the Compact of Free Association Monday in Honolulu, the last of the three freely associated states to renew its Compact relationship with the United States. The signing was held at the East-West Center in Honolulu. East-West Center President Suzanne Vares-Lum hailed the signing as an “historic agreement.” […]

Sea Patrol gets new home

Sea Patrol gets new home

Ground was broken for a new Training and Operation Center of Maritime Security and Safety for the RMI Ministry of Justice on April 6. The project is funded by Japan as part of its FY2019 Grant Aid Economic and Social Development Program.
The ceremony was attended by Ambassador Kazunari Tanaka, President David Kabua, Ministers Christopher Loeak, […]

New Cabinet members sworn in

New Cabinet members sworn in

Three of the four newly appointed Cabinet ministers were sworn in during a ceremony at the ICC Tuesday morning. Chief Justice of the High Court Carl Ingram with Clerk of Courts Ingrid Kabua officiated at the swearing in. This followed a blessing and then brief remarks from President David Kabua. The President described the Cabinet […]

Nitijela, Cabinet in holiday dustup

Nitijela, Cabinet in holiday dustup

GIFF JOHNSON At a time when most people’s focus has turned to jeptas, holiday parties, shopping and family gatherings, this December has featured an usual development. Nitijela and the Cabinet are in a dust up over several public hearings scheduled by chairmen last week, one of which the Cabinet cut off from V7AB radio broadcast […]

$257.7m budget with Nitijela

$257.7m budget with Nitijela

Finance Minister Alfred Alfred, Jr. introduced a $257.7 million FY2021 budget to Nitijela last Thursday. It is nearly $40 million above the $219 million budget for FY2020. The Nitijela Appropriations Committed launched daily hearings on the budget Monday this week. The budget includes money for a new Ministry of Environment, $8.8 million for state owned […]

Talks to extend Compact $$ start

Talks to extend Compact $$ start

GIFF JOHNSON The big news coming from several hours of meetings on Pohnpei Monday between US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and President Hilda Heine and leaders of the FSM and Palau is Pompeo’s announcement that negotiations to extend Compact funding agreements have begun. The post-2023 period, when US grant funding for RMI and FSM […]

Tony: ‘A giant of history’

Tony: ‘A giant of history’

HILDA HEINE President   It is with great sadness and a very heavy heart that I announce that the Marshall Islands lost a national hero Tuesday with the passing of our Climate Ambassador and former Minister Tony deBrum. Tony passed away peacefully in Majuro, surrounded by his proud father, as well as his wife and […]

Patrick: We need action

Patrick: We need action

HILARY HOSIA Here are a few highlights from this week’s Committee of the Whole session from the ongoing Constitutional Convention at the International Conference Center. • Majuro Delegate Yolanda Lodge-Ned wants to prevent candidates with felony charges in their history from running for Nitijela, adding that the current law allows felons who did time to […]