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Majuro, MH 96960
Marshall Islands
In Person:
On the ocean road
behind Formosa
in Uliga, Majuro
The new government recognizes the hardships Marshallese people are facing and intends to do something about it, including reducing spending and improving services to the people, President Litokwa Tomeing told the Nitijela and the nation Monday during his inauguration as the fourth President of the RMI. He specifically called for cutting back on government spending starting with “ourselves in the Nitijela by reviewing our salaries and allowances.” He said the government must also cut back on travel costs and review its payroll.
Ebeye shakes Litokwa's hand
Thousands of people turned out to greet new President Litokwa Tomeing on his arrival at Ebeye Island last Thursday. So long was the welcome line at the Ebeye dock that it stretched all the way back to the mainroad beyond Triple J. According to officials with the President it took nearly an hour and a half for Tomeing to work his way to the end of the greeting line.
Financial boost for MICS and WUTMI
The US Embassy in Majuro earlier this month issued one new grant and provided the final installment on a second grant to two local non-government organizations. US Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Douglas A. Morris announced the awarding of a new $15,000 State Department grant to the Marshall Islands Conservation Society for a coastal management project on Wotje and Jaluit atolls.
The Cabinet launched a wide-ranging review of the public service, starting with Tuesday’s session at the ICC with all secretaries and agency heads. Minister in Assistance Chris Loeak told the Journal this week that the goal of the new government is to deliver on President Litokwa Tomeing’s promise in his inauguration speech to improve public services to the people. Loeak moved to quell fears of mass layoffs by saying “we’re not going to fire people for the sake of firing them.” But, he added, the goal is “to deliver services to the people. If there are bottlenecks (to those goals) they need to be removed.” The all-day meeting at the ICC brought out all Cabinet ministers to listen to mostly short updates on key issues from 44 top government officials, including all ministries, authorities and agencies of the national government. “We need to review operations of the government,” Loeak said, adding that there are a number of priority issues facing the new government including the sustainability of the high-level of the government’s payroll. Tomeing mentioned both the need to cut government spending, including payroll, and the problem of discriminatory practices within the public service in his speech at Nitijela Monday.
Marshall Islands Visitors Authority's Emelyn Simon at the helm of the winning yacht Seal.
coming to town
A first big event kicking off the New Year for the local tourism industry is next month’s visit to Majuro of the Silver Shadow, a cruise ship run by the Silver Seas cruise line.Its more than 300 passengers and 300 crew will hit town Saturday February 16 for a five-to-six hour visit that is expected to provide a shot in the arm for local businesses
The College of the Marshall Islands received its most positive report ever from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges in the lead up to last week’s full commission meeting in California that reviewed CMI’s probationary status. CMI officials are holding their collective breath until early next month, when the WASC Accrediting Commission for Colleges and Junior Colleges is expected to issue its decision on CMI.
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