KPress Vol. 19 Iss. 04
Jaynes, Bill (2019-02-04). KPress Vol. 19 Iss. 04 (PDF) (Report). Kolonia, Pohnpei: Kaselehlie Press.
- Has attachment: File:YPGRQSDX.pdf
Abstract: KPress Vol. 19 Iss. 04: NEWS: U Municipality formally concludes its Second Constitutional Convention at the U nahs, with 17 elected delegates approving 17 proposed constitutional amendments following a three-month review process, including amendments authorized by a 2018 constitutional change and scheduled for ratification by municipal voters on March 5, 2019; Convention leaders and municipal officials describe the scope of proposed reforms as addressing governance structure, accountability, and administrative modernization within one of Pohnpei’s eleven municipalities; Pohnpei State Auditor Ihlen Joseph issues a formal recommendation urging centralization of municipal financial administration under the State Department of Treasury and Administration, citing repeated audit findings of systemic mismanagement, fraud, and embezzlement across 10 of 11 municipal governments reviewed by the Pohnpei Office of the Public Auditor; the auditor’s letter to the Governor and Pohnpei Legislature details approximately $60 million in municipal revenue transfers over three decades under Article 11 of the state constitution and highlights persistent deficiencies in local financial controls; Pohnpei State confirms that proposed sea cucumber harvesting in Sapwuahfik will not proceed, despite prior efforts to advance commercial exploitation, reflecting ongoing regulatory and sustainability disputes over marine resource management; Australian Ambassador James Fraser delivers remarks at Australia Day events in Pohnpei, characterizing Australia as a “willing and able partner” and emphasizing continued engagement in development assistance, security cooperation, and regional diplomacy with the Federated States of Micronesia; Governor Marcelo Peterson briefs the Pohnpei State Legislature’s Special Committee to Wait on the Governor on administration priorities for the 2019 session, including fisheries development policy, infrastructure projects, and tourism initiatives; the Governor addresses the status of the Luen Thai Fishing Venture lease, associated payments, and negotiations over expanded use of cold storage facilities, framing the matter as part of broader efforts to strengthen fisheries-based revenue; College of Micronesia–FSM students participate in documentation and research related to preservation planning for Nan Madol, contributing academic support to ongoing heritage management and conservation efforts.
