GIFF JOHNSON
The conversation in Majuro has been dominated by the word “Enra” for the past week. Everywhere you go, people are talking about Enra.
Did you register? Is it really going to happen? How much are we getting? When is the distribution? Did you see the traffic backed up from MISSA with people trying to register late?
Most people seem happy, some are angry the payment isn’t higher, others warned of the need to guard against fraud and abuse of the new program.
But speculation about the program was laid to rest Wednesday morning, as the RMI government held an official Enra launch ceremony next to Marshall Islands Social Security Administration.
President Hilda Heine, who spoke at length, hailed the start of the quarterly Enra payments as an historic, groundbreaking social protection program for the Marshall Islands.
“Enra Bwe Jen Lale Rārā is the government’s … initiative that brings opportunities directly into the hands of the Marshallese,” said the President. “This program is designed to support our citizens, helping them achieve their goals and contribute to the development of the Marshall Islands.”
International news media said the new Enra or universal basic income program is a world-first for a nation to provide an ongoing income payment program to all its citizens.
Finance Minister David Paul told the Journal Enra “is a big deal that will help a lot of Marshallese.”
Paul and MISSA Administrator Bryan Edejer were on hand to present three checks to three randomly selected individuals representing children to retirees. Checks for $201.92 were presented to Bonjo Ned, Momiko Kelwan and Stan Akilang while the large audience clapped.
Edejer said checks or direct bank deposits will begin Thursday for over 33,000 Marshallese resident in the Marshall Islands.
He also said that registration for Enra has been paused until early January to allow for MISSA to concentrate on the massive country-wide Enra distribution of the first quarterly payment as well as to allow time for new registrants to gather all required documents.
MISSA is managing the Enra/universal basic income (UBI) payment system.
Edejer updated the Journal on several key points about the Enra program, the first payment, and ongoing registration.
“MISSA was able to enroll up to 33,119 UBI recipients … as of 9/30/2025,” Edejer said. Checks will be distributed from the ECC gym starting Thursday this week.
Regarding this week’s payments, which start going out Thursday, direct deposits to Bank of Guam accounts may delayed due to the bank closing for the US thanksgiving holiday.
“Deposits might have to wait for the next business day for Bank of Guam,” Edejer said. “I believe the same with wire transfer, but MISSA aims to get all deposits reached individuals’ accounts as soon as possible.”
For new applicants, the registration starting today (11/26) is temporarily paused until January 5 next year. “This allows more time for applicants who must first obtain their birth certificates, social security numbers and identification, etc. to get registered with the project,” he said.
Edejer explained the registration process: “As much as possible, MISSA works with every applicant to ensure their applications are complete. Regardless of missing documents, for the initial payment, as long as an applicant had registered with their social security number, they would be collecting their 1st ‘ENRA’ payment this week.”
Alternatively, if people “claimed to have registered, but there is no signed application on file, then they must register in order to receive the ENRA payment. If they do not receive the first one for late registration, they will collect the next one (in February).”