Marshalls gets $348,200 from OIA

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Interior Assistant Secretary for Insular Areas Esther Kia’aina approved last week $348,200 from the Technical and Maintenance Assistance Programs in the Office of Insular Affairs to the Republic of the Marshall Islands for fiscal year 2015.  Funds will support a wide range of projects from fish farming to radio broadcasting to water catchment and treatment as well as to providing identification cards, safety training for utility workers, and a personnel audit of the national college.

“This year’s grants to the Marshall Islands have been exciting,” said Nikolao Pula, Director of the Office of Insular Affairs. “We are able to impact areas that improve the quality of life for citizens in the Marshall Islands from water catchment and treatment to more efficient provision of identification cards and increased fish farming and employment opportunities.  We are impressed by the creativity and quality of submissions received this funding cycle.” 

– $60,000 to the Majuro Atoll Water and Sewer Co. to reline and install a new cover and liner for MWSC’s damaged treated water reservoir. The entire project cost to the Marshall Islands government is $227,000, of which OIA will contribute $60,000.

– $12,800 for safety training and equipment at MWSC: Funding will be used to provide safety training, including the purchase of equipment and relevant tools. 

– $41,000 to National Broadcasting V7AB Radio Marshall Islands: Funds will be used to purchase equipment and upgrade the Marshall Islands’ national broadcaster, Radio Marshall Islands, V7AB. 

– $14,500 to support government-issued ID cards: Funds will be used to purchase two new ID card machines for the Registry of Persons Division in order to provide more reliable and efficient identification services to all citizens of the Marshall Islands.  One machine will replace outdated equipment in the capital (Majuro); the other on Ebeye.  Residents of the Marshall Islands will be able to obtain identification cards, which will include their photographs and other identifying information.  Ebeye has more than a quarter of the Marshall Islands population.

– $41,400 to the Ministry of Finance to enhance Information and Technology stations within the Ministry.  New computers and monitors will be purchase to replace outdated and faulty equipment.  The Ministry of Finance revenue and fiscal functions include revenue tax and duty collection and accounting, budget control, financial data processing and the collection, disbursement and accounting of all public funds for the Government of the Marshall Islands.

– $100,000 to the Rongelap Atoll local government for the acquisition of sea cages for fish farming.  In 2012, RALGOV piloted a fish farm project to see whether the Pacific Thread fin fish (more commonly known as “Moi”) could be domesticated in the Marshall Islands.  The initial project was a stunning success with Moi growing faster than in other locations with lower mortality rates.  RALGOV has targeted Hawaiian and Asian markets for their fish and expect fish farming to be a sustainable business venture providing much needed employment and income for the people of Rongelap Atoll.  OIA funds will help increase the capacity of this project by 60 percent

– $78,500 to the College of the Marshall Islands for a Personnel Audit that provides analysis of the college’s human resources, identify employee capacity, and provides recommendations for development and implementation of an optimal organizational and staffing structure.  Established in 1993, the CMI is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and offers high school equivalency, community extension, student development, certificate, and Associate degree programs in liberal arts and sciences, business administration, elementary education and nursing as well as a Bachelor’s degree in education. (OIA)