Before wrapping up its final session in late September and dissolving, Nitijela passed a number of bills. These include: • Postal Services Amendment Act. This clarifies roles of the board and Minister responsible, as well as strengthening “the appearance of the independence of the (Postal) Authority,” according to the bill’s summary. • Import Duties Amendment […]
The KBE Local Government’s “Air Bikini” airplane arrived last Friday to much fanfare and celebration at Amata Kabua International Airport. A big group of local VIPs was on hand to welcome the plane next to the AMI hangar. The event included a blessing from UCC Rev. Palukne Johnny, speeches by Acting President Brenson Wase, KBE […]
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 […]
KELLY LORENNIJ Marshall Islands Finance Minister Brenson Wase delivered a statement on behalf of the 15 Pacific Developing Member Countries (DMCs) of ADB during the 2019 Pacific Governors’ Meeting with Asian Development Bank President Takehiko Nakao, who co-chaired the meeting alongside Wase. Wase highlighted two emerging issues: first, concerns on the European Union’s unilateral and […]
KELLY LORENNIJ While Nitijela (Parliament) was split in half during Monday morning’s vote of no confidence, both sides reiterated one common concept: “Kien eo en jerbal ippen armij ro, kon armij ro, im nan armij ro ilo jokkwin wot juon.”* President Hilda Heine’s opening remarks were met with applause from the packed audience, resonating most […]
A Marshall Islands government team, led by Finance Minister Brenson Wase and Minister in Assistance David Paul, attended the annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank Group last month in Indonesia. The delegation included Secretary of Finance Maybelline Bing, Assistant Secretary Ywao Elanzo, Acting Assistant Secretary for Division of International Development Assistance […]
Nitijela’s first business day of the current session, August 7, saw members focus on the RMI’s proposed SOV digital currency, plan to host the Micronesian Games, and possible reduction in the 50 cent per pound copra price. Exchanges during the first question and answer session of the new session included: • Wotho Senator David Kabua […]
RMI government leaders signed an agreement aimed at improving the flow of funding within government, particularly related to the Ministry of Health and Human Services. The Ministry of Health and Human Services met last month with the US Association of State and Territorial Health Officials, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Pacific […]
REBECCA LATHROP A workshop, “Forecasting Managing Fishing Revenues,” opened in Majuro on Monday. In his opening remarks RMI Minister of Finance Brenson Wase welcomed the group of 49 participants and stressed the importance and timeliness of the workshop. Wase pointed out that as fishing revenue has increased dramatically over the past ten years and with the […]
HILARY HOSIA When it comes to Majuro leadership — Ministers Brenson Wase, Kalani Kaneko, and Tony Muller, Senators Sherwood Tibon and David Kramer, and Mayor Ladie Jack — student development is a priority as evidenced in last week’s christening of Delap Elementary School’s multi-purpose basketball court. The presence of all five Majuro senators with the […]
