Photo: Rubon JR Jacklick.
Questions about the Enra (universal basic income) and END (Extraordinary Needs Distribution) programs featured prominently in the first business session of Nitijela Tuesday this week.
Following the usual reports by Cabinet ministers, Nitijela members used the question and answer period for a variety of questions including several around the Enra and END program.
Majuro Nitijela Member David Kramer, who last year introduced a resolution calling on Cabinet to add other islands to the list of 11 currently eligible for END funding, asked when is the next formal evaluation of the END program, including consideration of eligibility of additional islands.
Foreign Minister Kalani Kaneko replied that it is five years from the implementation date, which was 2024.
Likiep Nitijela Member Wallace Peter asked what happens for people who are qualified to received Enra payments but didn’t get a payment with the first release of funds in November last year.
Finance Minster David Paul said those who had not registered or those who had a registration issue earlier would be included in the February quarterly payment.