“The Project for the Procurement of Equipment for Dried Coconuts Logistics in Lib Island” was held on Lib Island last week.
The grant of $64,367 for the procurement of equipment for dried coconuts logistics, including a portable davit crane, a pickup truck, and 21 rear carts, was funded through Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP).
The ceremony was attended by Lib Mayor Winlan Sheet, council members of the local government, people of Lib Island, and other distinguished guests.
At the ceremony, Japan Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission Takashi Hattori recognized the completion of the project. He expressed appreciation for the efforts of all those involved in and dedicated to this project and added that “Copra production is the key industry and a critical source of livelihood in Lib Island. With the provision of this equipment, increased efficiency and production of the copra industry will allow the people in Lib to secure income generation.”
He emphasized that “the government of Japan has been a close partner over many years with the government and people of the Marshall Islands and continues to work together for the well-being of the people of the Marshall Islands.”
Mayor Sheet expressed his sincere appreciation to the people and the government of Japan, as well as all those who made an effort in this project. He said this assistance will go a long way in supporting local livelihoods, boosting productivity, and helping to sustain one of the island’s most important traditional industries, copra production.
The government of Japan launched GGP for the Marshall Islands in 1996. The purpose of the projects is to respond to various development needs and directly benefit people at a grassroots level. With the Lib Island GGP, the embassy has granted 162 such grants in the RMI.