GIFF JOHNSON The Public School System and Delap Elementary School in particular celebrated the opening last week of the first learning resource center for teachers and students. It was officially opened with a ribbon cutting ceremony that included the presence of Asian Development Bank Vice-President for East and Southeast Asia, and the PacificScott Morris. The […]
GIFF JOHNSON As the first Extraordinary Needs Distribution payment for 11 atolls and islands looms next month, Nitijela is considering legislation that would make all 24 local government jurisdictions eligible for END payments. Bill No. 56 is titled the “Ejjelok Ad Act 2025” and aims to expand the definition of the END program under the […]
A major upgrade to four points of entry into the Marshall Islands has been accomplished, strengthening preparedness against infectious diseases. The initiative supported by the government of Japan and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) partnered with multiple RMI agencies to provide substantial improvements at four main entry points: Amata Kabua International Airport, Ebeye Seaport, […]
GIFF JOHNSON There is a striking development in regards to the fire that destroyed the Nitijela. In the Executive Order declaring a state of disaster issued by Acting President Kalani Kaneko on August 28, two days after the fire, among a list of action directives to government ministries and agencies was the directive to Marshall […]
GIFF JOHNSON After two years of discussion, arguments and debates, two major funding streams under the Compact of Free Association have been approved for distribution later this year. The US-RMI Trust Fund Committee has endorsed releasing $27.7 million for the Individual Support Distribution (otherwise known as the Enra program) and $19.9 million for the Extraordinary […]
GIFF JOHNSON The day after last week Tuesday’s fire consumed Nitijela, parliament staff were already setting up the ICC conference hall as a temporary Nitijela meeting space. Monday this week, the Appropriations Committee, with Chairman Jack Ading at the helm, completed the final series of FY2026 budget hearings from the ICC meeting location. Nitijela staff […]
GIFF JOHNSON Tuesday morning, while the fire still burned at Nitijela, the RMI Cabinet held an emergency meeting at the MIMRA headquarters conference room to discuss its response. By mid-afternoon, President Hilda Heine had issued a short statement posted to the President’s Office Facebook page describing the situation and the government’s next steps. President Heine […]
GIFF JOHNSON It would take a Herculean effort by the Marshall Islands Shipping Corporation and copra makers to hit the 7,000 ton mark by the end of the fiscal year September 30. Four weak months of copra deliveries to the Tobolar Copra Processing Authority in Majuro put the nine-month total tonnage at 4,480 tons, according […]
GIFF JOHNSON The well-known local group AIM Band organized a music camp for a month starting in July. The camp was for children generally in the elementary and middle school age group, with most of the kids in the 8-12 age range. The band members led the music camp three days each week much to […]
GIFF JOHNSON Jo-Jikum’s Climate Adaptation Arts Seminar is into its second week at Marshall Islands High School with nearly 50 young people participating in the program. When the seminar started a week ago Monday, there were fewer than 40. But once things kicked off, and word of mouth and social media posts by youth participants […]
