HILARY HOSIA
The official handover of a new crane truck from the Embassy of Japan to Waan Aelon in Majol (Canoes of the Marshall Islands) Friday revealed a positive aspect about WAM: exemplary maintenance.
In his remarks, Japan Ambassador Hideyuki Mitsuoka said he was amazed at the state and condition of the vocational training center that Japan donated in 2008 under the same Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Services Projects (GGP) scheme.
The $65,050 crane is Japan’s second gift to WAM under the GGP.
Even WAM Director Alson Kelen capitalized the importance of maintenance in his speech following the story of how the program has been using the same sawmill for 11 years.
The sawmill plays a central role in the program as its main usage is preparing wood for instructors’ use to teach trainees techniques for making canoes and various handicrafts.
The addition of the crane truck will boost production for WAM and bring to life an initiative Alson said was conceived several years back — to train individuals on the sawmill.
Minister of Natural Resources and Commerce Dennis Momotaro said the ministry will partner with WAM next month for a two-week sawmill training that would involve 10 outer island local governments.
Minister Momotaro commended Alson and WAM for benefitting not only trainees but Marshall Islands as a whole.
Read more about this in the June 1, 2018 edition of the Marshall Islands Journal.