KPress Vol. 12 Iss. 19
Jaynes, Bill (2012-09-03). KPress Vol. 12 Iss. 19 (PDF) (Report). Kolonia, Pohnpei: Kaselehlie Press.
- Has attachment: File:R4RSDESG.pdf
Abstract: KPress Vol. 12 Iss. 19: NEWS: Colonia, Yap—Controversy intensified over an agreement between Yap State leaders and Chinese developers proposing large-scale tourism development including hotels, casinos, marinas, and golf courses, with public concern focusing on potential environmental and social impacts and frustration over limited transparency as debate showed no sign of abating; heritage reporting from Pohnpei notes archaeologists and historians seeking information about a large stone head carving, taller than a man and extremely heavy, believed to have been removed from the island in the 1960s, prompting renewed interest in recovery and documentation; maritime security coverage highlights deployment and intended use of the patrol vessel FSS Unity and associated communications facilities under a Nippon Foundation–funded initiative via the Sasakawa Peace Foundation to strengthen maritime surveillance, search and rescue, and disaster response capabilities in Micronesia; governance and accountability reporting details an Office of the National Public Auditor (ONPA) audit uncovering payroll “waste, abuse, and potential fraud” within the FSM national government, identifying payroll as the largest cost center, documenting issuance of more than 50,000 payroll checks totaling over $30 million across fiscal years 2010–2011, finding systemic weaknesses including automated overpayments and unauthorized overtime caused by software configurations, and referring elements of the findings to the Compliance Investigation Division for further review; OPINION / EDITORIAL: commentary reflects on reactions by regional leaders to the Yap tourism proposal, experiences of trainers conducting first-time programs in Chuuk, and diplomatic engagement underscored by expressions of appreciation following presentation of letters of credence.
