U.S. Provides $3M For FSM Infrastructure
The United States government has awarded an innovative Public Infrastructure Sector grant of $3 million to the Federated States of Micronesia to be administered by Chuuk, Kosrae, Pohnpei and Yap state governments in the amount of $750,000 for each state.
The grant is for:
- ADVERTISEMENT -
• Provision of potable water to education and health facilities; and
• Public safety.
At a special ceremony in the FSM President’s Conference Room on August 8, Secretary of Foreign Affairs Lorin Robert confirmed acceptance of this grant award. Under the terms of the grant, within 30 days each state government must provide a prioritized list that describes their proposed projects, the U.S. Embassy said in a statement. The FSM national and state governments worked together in close partnership with the United States Embassy and the U.S. Department of the Interior to propose and secure this Compact funding, the statement said.
U.S. Ambassador Miriam Hughes described this new form of Compact assistance as an effort to “direct aid flexibly and responsibly at the grass roots level. The states and municipalities are excited.” The Ambassador encouraged the states to use local contractors and employ local labor for these prioritized projects. No matching funds are required, the U.S. Embassy said.
Secretary Robert praised “the spirit of partnership embodied in the mere availability of this funding.” He described this type of aid delivery as “a positive indication that the implementation of the amended Compact can be flexible in addressing the special needs and circumstances of the FSM states.
“I believe there will be times and situations that will compel both sides to be creative and innovative in pursuing our mutual goals while maintaining the spirit, objective and dignity of the Compact.”
“The American Government is prepared to think beyond standardized approaches, if necessary, in order to help you meet the needs of your people,” Ambassador Hughes said.
Vice President Alik Alik, joined by other members of the FSM Cabinet, Governor Ehsa and his Chief of Staff, offered a champagne toast to the spirit of partnership embodied in the new aid delivery mechanism at the conclusion of the ceremony.
