BRIEFS October 22, 2013 DHS Issues New Health Update The Department of Health Services (DHS) has issued a statement regarding a dengue-like illness that has been around within the communities in Yap, and has advised that people should take precautionary measures to prevent the virus from spreading into other areas where the illness has not been detected. The Department stated that the people of Yap must realize that the mosquito species carrying the dengue virus is common and therefore, DHS will continue to receive patients with dengue-like illness if efforts to prevent its transmission do not continue. To date, there are no confirmed cases of dengue fever, but the hospital continues to see people with dengue-like illness. This dengue-like illnesss associated symptoms include high temperature, headache, muscle pain, rash, and joint pain. DHS has advised that anyone experiencing these symptoms must seek assistance at the hospital or at the nearest community health center (CHC). DHS also stated that, based on previous outbreaks, prevention is the most effective tool in making sure people are safe from the dengue-carrying mosquitoes. potential sites must be eliminated from around homes and nearby bushes where the mosquito could use to breed. Health workers are also advising people to make sure they use mosquito repellants and mosquito coils throughout the day and especially when family members gather in the evening; repellants and mosquito coils help prevent the transmission from person to through mosquito bites. In addition, DHS has advised people not to take medicines such as aspirin or ibuprofen for prevention of the disease until they have consulted with a doctor. To find out more about the dengue-like illness and how it should be prevented, contact Cindy Yow at Tel: +(691)350-2114 at the Division of Public Health, DHS. Upcoming Session On The Montreal Protocol In The FSM PALIKIR, FSM (FSMIS, Oct. 18, 2013) — FSM President Manny Mori has extended an invitation to all who are involved in technical policy decision-making in the procurement and handling of equipment and appliances that use ozone-depleting substances to attend a session on the Montreal Protocol on October 25, 2013. The session will be held at the Office of Environment and Emergency Management (OEEM). It will be facilitated by Mr. Michael Moller from the Australian Technical college. Mr. Moller has done these kind of training throughout the Pacific Region on behalf of the United Nations Environment Program. Environmental staff as well as refrigeration and air conditioning technicians are urged to attend the session. For more information, contact the OEEM at 320-8814 or email [email protected]. President Mori Invites Congress To The 25th Anniversay Celebration Of FSM-Japan Diplomatic Relations PALIKIR, FSM (FSMIS, Oct. 18, 2013) — On October 17, FSM President Manny Mori extended an invitation to Speaker Dohsis Halbert and Members of the FSM 18th Congress to join him in the upcoming 25th Anniversary of the Diplomatic relations between FSM and Japan on the 1st of November 2013. The celebration will be held in Tokyo at the Royal Park Hotel. The Anniversary celebration will not only strengthen the [bonds] of friendship between the two Governments but will provide an opportunity to showcase our products in Japan as well as promote FSM as a tourist and investment destination, the President explained in a letter to the Speaker. The President also complimented and thanked Congress for appropriating $25,000 for activities and events directly related to the anniversary celebration. Officials who will attend the celebration are advised that airfare, accommodation and local travel costs are to be borne by each traveler. For further information, call FSM Information Office at 320-2548 or email [email protected]. FSM Obtains $6.17M Compact Grant In September PALIKIR, FSM (Saipan Tribune, Oct. 21, 2013) — In August, the Finance Department of the Federated States of Micronesia received Compact Grant assistance payments from the U.S. government totaling $6.17 million. These payments were for Compact Sector Grants and Supplementary Education Grants: Education Sector Grants, $2,132,854; Health Sector Grants, $1,693,196; Supplementary Education Grants, $874,339; Enhanced Reporting and Accountability Grants, $541,727; Infrastructure Grants, $456,793; Capacity Building Grants, $211,000; Private Sector Development Grants, $175,000; and Environmental Sector Grants, $81,223. The total amount is $6,166,132. This amount is provided as support and development to the States of the FSM and the FSM national government as follows: FSM national government, $468,100; Chuuk, $2,758,774; Kosrae, $475,001; Pohnpei, $1,507,257; and Yap, $957,000 Federal visit Lisa Dammar, the new Health Sector grant manager for the FSM and the Marshall Islands, made her first visit to the FSM on Sept. 21-30 visiting the States of Pohnpei and Chuuk to tour hospitals, public health facilities, community health centers, and dispensaries. Dammar said, “The islands are beautiful and reminded me of my native country, Jamaica. The people and the weather are warm and welcoming and the green mountains made me feel at home. I enjoyed traveling to see the health clinics in Pohnpei and Chuuk and look forward to my visits to Kosrae and Yap. After meeting many of the people I will be working with, I feel that together we can bring great benefits to the people of the FSM.” Dammar previously worked for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, where she administered over $350 million annually in grant assistance, and before that for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Ethiopia, where she provided technical assistance. She now oversees the FSM’s nearly $20 million in Health Sector grants. Mold Infestation At Palau’s Capitol Complex Remedied NGERULMUD, Palau (Island Times/PIR, Oct. 18, 2013) — Beginning Monday (October 21), Palau’s Executive Branch offices will move back to the Capitol in Ngerulmud. President Remengesau disclosed during the press conference [on] Wednesday (October 16) at Palau Wave radio station that the problems at the Capitol building, including ceiling leak, molds, air-con system, were fixed. Remengesau said that the Industrial Hygienist gave clearance that the building is now ready to be occupied by employees. Earlier reports showed occupants at the Capitol were relocated in offices in Koror due to severe mold infestation. A certified Industrial Hygienist was hired to perform inspection of the Capitol buildings. It was then discovered that the cause of mold growth inside the Capitol buildings appears to be the lack of properly functioning heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system. After the assessment, corrective actions were conducted. The national government spent nearly $800K for remediation of the problem at the Capitol. The Office of the President yesterday (October 17) disclosed that there are still satellite offices that will remain in Koror such as the Office of the President in Meyuns, Ministry of Justice offices, Attorney General’s Office and Tax Office. Marshall Islands To Host SPREP Officer MAJURO, Marshall Islands (SPREP, Oct. 19, 2013) — The Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme signed an Agreement with the Government of the Republic of the Marshall Islands last week to base a technical officer to provide direct support in the Marshall Islands. Its a monumental event for SPREP, its the first since the establishment of SPREP as an autonomous body that the organization has ever appointed outside of headquarters in Apia, Samoa. This is one of several measures carried out by SPREP to strengthen regional linkages and support to the Northern Pacific and South West Pacific members and was approved by SPREP members at the Annual General Meeting in Nouméa, New Caledonia in 2012. It is a real honor and pleasure to be here with the Minister signing this very important agreement. This is a commitment by SPREP to strengthen our support for our Pacific Island members, with the Republic of the Marshall Islands weve increased our support from USD 130 thousand, two years ago to USD 340 thousand last year, said SPREPs Director-General Mr. David Sheppard. We look to continuing that increase and this memorandum of understanding is an expression of our commitment to support the Marshall Islands and their vital efforts to address the key challenges in climate change. This is one of several measures carried out by SPREP to strengthen regional linkages and support to the Northern Pacific and South West Pacific members and was approved by SPREP members at the Annual General Meeting in Nouméa, New Caledonia in 2012. This is a very welcome development and I am delighted to be able to sign this with SPREP today. We are grateful for answering our requests for capacity support to address these environmental issues in the Marshall Islands. Thank you very much, we look forward to an enriched and increased assistance in the future, said Hon. Phillip Muller, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Marshall Islands. A Memorandum of Understanding is also being developed to be signed between the Federated States of Micronesia with SPREP. The Republic of Palau has also indicated interest in hosting a SPREP technical officer. Options are also being explored with the Melanesian Spearhead Group to enhance coordination and delivery of services from SPREP to South West Pacific members. Guam Energy Reduction Plan Goes To Governor For Review HAGÅTÑA, Guam (Pacific Daily News/PIR, Oct. 20, 2013) — The Guam Energy Action Plan, which details strategies on how to reduce energy consumption on island, has matured from discussion to documentation, and now awaits Gov. Eddie Calvos review. Drafted by the Guam Energy Task Force, the action plan, which was finished in July and recently submitted to the governors office, covers a few key areas in which Guam as a whole can focus to improve energy efficiency according to Robert Underwood, the president of the University of Guam and co-chairman of the Guam Energy Task Force, and Peter Calvo, the director of the Guam Energy Office. Underwood said the intent behind the action plan was to provide the government of Guam the rough draft of an energy plan that would take us toward more energy sustainable solutions for the island. Peter Calvo said one aspect of the plan is to create a revolving loan fund available to residents to help pay the initial costs of installing more energy-efficient technologies in their homes. Our goal was to actually provide all sectors within the community an opportunity to start reducing their electric bills and assist us in reaching our goal (of) 20 percent (fuel cost) reduction by 2020. The first phase of this loan would allow borrowing for inexpensive solutions such as cool roofs, weatherization improvements, and two-pane windows. The second phase would allow for more expensive technologies including solar water heaters systems and efficient air conditioners. While currently unfunded, the Guam Energy Task Force suggested in the action plan options how the loan program could be set up, from the Guam Power Authority giving out loans to various types of lending from local banks. It would incentivize (residents) to take action on top of the tax credit and for those of lesser means to participate as well, Peter Calvo said. The federal investment tax credit is 30 percent rebate outlined in the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to help people and businesses pay for renewably energy technologies. Pairing the ITC and the revolving loan fund, the Guam Energy Task Force is hoping to provide a financial incentive for people to purchase renewable energy technologies. Art Perez, spokesman for the Guam Power Authority said the agency supports renewables but warns that increased usage by GPA customers could produce extra wear and tear on the grid. Power voltage quality could suffer if more people go on and off the grid depending on the weather, he said. For net metering customers who use more power than they produce, they pull power from GPAs grid. Perez said this wouldnt be much of an issue if these customers also helped pay for grid maintenance. Currently, net metering customers are credited the full 29 cents for every kilowatt put back on the grid. Other areas the plan highlights are waste-to-energy options and how to make transit and tour buses more energy-efficient. But Underwood and Peter Calvo said that the technologies shouldnt be the focus of energy efficiency. Cutting back on energy usage and making sure your home is as efficient as possible should precede buying solar panels or other expensive technologies. Underwood stressed that being energy-efficient is a lifestyle change. The Guam Energy Task Force is not just about finding technology, Underwood said. Many people think its just about finding technology to help us continue to live the way weve always lived. (But its about) how you live and what role energy plays. Most people are just focused on the power bill. But more importantly its understanding the concept of energy and energy consumption. Vessel Day Scheme Has Transformed Industry MAJURO, Marshall Islands (Marianas Variety, Oct. 21, 2013) — The introduction of a “vessel day scheme” by the Parties to the Nauru Agreement, or PNA, has moved the goal posts from a “buyers” to a “sellers” market with the Pacific gaining increasing control over tuna resource, PNA commercial manager Maurice Brownjohn said in Majuro Thursday. Years ago, when buyers outside the region controlled the market, tuna traders dictated prices and claimed they could not pay a cent more than $450 per metric ton, he said. In the early- and mid-2000s, purse seine operators forced the price higher to about $850 per metric ton. But it was the vessel day scheme, or VDS, implemented in 2008, that turned the fishery into a “sellers market” and this has ramped up the value of the fishery dramatically for the islands, he said. Confirming this, in 2013, world market tuna prices have stayed above $2,000 per ton. “With VDS, total effort has risen slightly since introduction, but is limited to levels that are precautionary and scientifically sound and in line with Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission decisions,” Brownjohn said. But demand to fish by foreign fleets and demand globally for tuna is surpassing the limits imposed by PNA. In 2012, record numbers of purse seiners caught a record 2.65 million tons of tuna in the western and central Pacific, sounding alarms for fisheries management officials. Brownjohn said this is why the limits on fishing days is essential to conserving resources, while limiting fishing days leads to scarcity, which “increases the value to our fishery.” “PNA has been accused of acting like ‘OPEC,’ a cartel manipulating prices,” he said. “But I prefer ‘OTEC,’ ‘Office of Tuna Exporting Countries’ and the only cartel functioning is one for conservation of our resources. The conservation and sustainable management of our only resource means that with increased prices and scarcity, then it is a win-win scenario.” With improved prices the revenues for PNA nations have jumped four-fold with total revenues coming to the eight PNA members now estimated at $240 million per year. This contrasts with only $60 million netted by the islands four years ago. Brownjohn expects this to increase more in 2014 as the VDS fishing day price rises from $5,000 to $6,000. “In the last two years some days have been traded at $8,000 per day reflecting the real potential (of the PNA fishery),” he said. “The fishing industry is certainly not complaining either as improved fish prices have seen industry profits mushroom.” Pacific Tourism Strategy Endorsed By Member Countries APIA, Samoa (Radio New Zealand International, Oct. 21, 2013) — Pacific tourism officials who met in Samoa to endorse a five-year tourism strategy for the region say they will focus on improving access to smaller islands and attract more visitors from Europe, America and China. Visitor arrivals to the South Pacific have grown by 50 percent in the last 10 years, from about one million in 2002 to more than 1.5 million in 2012. The South Pacific Tourism Organisation’s CEO, Ilisoni Vuidreketi, says while he is pleased with the growth, the region has not capitalized on it enough. He says the region needs to use its climate, friendly people and natural resources to get more visitors, and improve access to remote areas, attract more private investment and develop local products. “It does offer good potential for us to create employment activities, create income generating activities and also our foreign exchange earnings. We are also looking at how we can enhance private sector investment in this sector so that in partnership with the local communities we are able to stimulate economic activities.” -END-
Posted on: Tue, 22 Oct 2013 07:35:07 +0000
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