KPress Vol. 07 Iss. 18
Jaynes, Bill (2007-08-08). KPress Vol. 07 Iss. 18 (PDF) (Report). Kolonia, Pohnpei: Kaselehlie Press.
- Has attachment: File:385EHKDI.pdf
Abstract: KPress Vol. 07 Iss. 18: NEWS: The FSM Economic Development Authority (EDA) and Oceania collaborate to bring increased tuna-related profits to the FSM, with the company proposing an investment of between $80 million and $100 million that could generate up to 3,000 jobs; if Pohnpei’s Economic Development Authority is able to assist Orlando, Florida–based Oceania in navigating complex negotiations with the Pohnpei State Government and the national government, a new tuna cannery would eventually be constructed on reclaimed land at Dekehtik that does not currently exist; while many questions remain unanswered, the financial figures being discussed are large by FSM standards, including projected capital investment in the $80–$100 million range and employment figures approaching 3,000 positions; satellite imagery identifies the proposed cannery site on reclaimed land at the southeastern portion of Dekehtik; the company plans to supply tuna for the cannery through its own fishing operations, proposing to register approximately 50 purse seiner vessels under the FSM flag and initiating preliminary discussions with the National Oceanic Resource Management Authority (NORMA), the FSM agency responsible for vessel registration and licensing within the FSM Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ); purse seiners, which account for approximately two-thirds of tuna caught in the Pacific, are large fishing vessels that often utilize helicopters to locate fish; company representatives estimate annual salary expenditures could initially reach approximately $9 million, though projections remain subject to change; comparative wage figures note that a minimum-wage worker in the FSM earns approximately $2,471 annually after Social Security and withholding taxes when working a 40-hour week; Albert Augustin, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Pohnpei’s Economic Development Authority, comments on the proposal and its potential implications. OPINION / EDITORIAL: An editorial discusses stated priorities upon entering the Pohnpei department, including achieving clean audit opinions and addressing questioned costs, with the author indicating these goals would also be pursued at the national government level; at press time, a letter of intent outlining the Governor’s intention to allow Oceania to undertake a large land-reclamation project on the southeastern side of Dekehtik remained under review at the Office of the Attorney General, with the proposed land construction to be undertaken at the company’s expense and to include a new dock facility on the east side of the island; in transmitting an original set of the memorandum of understanding to FSM Speaker Isaac V. Figir, President Mori’s cover letter outlines the administration’s position regarding the proposal.
