GIFF JOHNSON The RMI shutdown of passenger arrival on airplanes has stranded a few people in various locations. But for the 55,000 residents of the RMI, the border lockdown is a welcome development when viewing the ongoing and worsening Covid-19 coronavirus crisis in many nations. Last year’s ban on travel to outer islands because of […]
GIFF JOHNSON Pohnpei strengthened its ban on incoming travelers Saturday in the face of the escalating spread of the Covid-19 coronavirus in the region. Pohnpei Governor Reed Oliver issued an amended emergency order March 21 the same day as Pohnpei health authorities announced the second “person under investigation” (PUI) for Covid-19. The island, which hosts […]
GIFF JOHNSON The Marshall Islands announced this week it had one “person under investigation” (PUI) for the coronavirus Covid-19, while two states in the Federated States of Micronesia announced they had three PUIs in isolation — all four were awaiting off-island laboratory testing to determine if they have the Covid-19 virus. The person in […]
GIFF JOHNSON Over 20 million cans and bottles have been recycled since container deposit legislation was adopted by Nitijela two years ago, and implemented by Majuro Atoll Waste Company and the Ministry of Finance. This has injected nearly $800,000 into community recyclers who bring bottles and cans to the MAWC recycling facility in Delap. The […]
GIFF JOHNSON The Marshall Islands on February 7 issued an indefinite ban on all international travel by government employees and elected leaders to reduce risk of importing the coronavirus now affecting tens of thousands of people in more than two dozen countries and territories. Marshall Islands President David Kabua signed a proclamation late Friday night […]
The Ministry of Health called for cooperation among port-related staff after two inbound vessels, with the aid of Ports Authority officials, violated established screening procedures for measles and coronavirus. In a memo Monday, Health Secretary Jack Niedenthal reminded Ministry of T&C, Ports Authority, RMI shipping agents and pilots who captain vessels into port that “we […]
GIFF JOHNSON The Ribuuk Ae field trip vessel is likely a total loss. After running aground on the reef at Ujae Atoll shortly before New Year’s Eve, the vessel developed a large hole in the hull under the engine room. That allowed the engine room to flood, and by the time a Pacific International Inc. […]
GIFF JOHNSON Nearly four years after the 2015 election, the RMI Supreme Court recently issued its opinion in former Mayor Mudge Samuel’s lawsuit attempting to overturn Ladie Jack’s election victory. The Supreme Court upheld the High Court’s decision, which confirmed the correctness of Jack’s election. The Supreme Court panel said the High Court’s ruling “leaves […]
GIFF JOHNSON Unofficial election results released this week show that the balance of power has shifted from President Hilda Heine’s government to the opposition. The opposition now appears to have an outright majority of 17, and possibly more as the country awaits the announcement of the complete unofficial vote tabulation results that start a two-week […]
GIFF JOHNSON Three rental generators have stabilized Ebeye Island’s power situation as the island waits for four new generators to be installed over the next several months. Two new generators arrived last month and their installation is waiting on the arrival of two new alternators. In the meantime, two additional complete generator sets — including […]
