By Nazario Rodriguez Jr.
Horizon news staff

The long dream of Ngarchelong State to have its own brand new dock will be soon realized.
The construction and improvement of the $1.2 million Oketol Dock will start soon following the well-attended groundbreaking ceremony last Tuesday Jan. 30 as well as the ribbon cutting of two more important projects namely the Ollei Water Tank and Ngarchelong Road Improvement Project.
Surangel and Sons company is given 240 days to complete the dock, which is Phase II of the project.
This include dredging and stockpiling, construction of sea walls, salt water swimming pool, multi-purpose building (lighting and power hookup, and separate restroom complete with septic tank and leaching field), road repair works/cross drain, includes boat ramp, two beacon lights and post.
Miscellaneous works include four feet road widening with riprap wall, additional riprap wall of south-east side of causeway, repair existing riprap wall, dredging for additional boat mooring area, three sets for channel markets and signage.
Also included is a standard outdoor basketball, volleyball, tennis courts that include all necessary markings, exterior lighting and poles, conduits/wiring and power hookup, galvanized perimeter fence and bleachers.
VMJ Construction Company built the $30,000 Ollei Water Tank while Rainbow Construction Company completed the $100,000 road improvement project.
All three projects are funded through grants from Taiwan.
President Remengesau, new Taiwan Ambassador Mathew S. Lee, Governor Browny Salvador led other top government officials during the ceremonies at the project sites and later at the State Office.
Pastor Paulus Swei did the invocation and benediction while Chief Uong er Etei Victor Joseph gave the opening remarks.
Minister of Resources and Development Fritz Koshiba gave the project details.
The President expressed Palau’s appreciation to the government of Taiwan for these important projects while Lee stressed the continued strong relations between the two countries.
Gov. Salvador thanked the president and the government of Taiwan for this important project to spur economic development of their State.
"We believe we have to continue the special relationship not only with Taiwan but with other countries like the US and Japan," Salvador said.
Ngarchelong Delegate Kerai Mariur said these are the kinds of projects that the people in their state needed to improve their lifestyles.
"The people have long been wanting to have the Dock," he said.
Also present during the occasion were Vice President Elias Camsek Chin, Chief Ibeduul Yutaka Gibbons, Ministers Elbuchel Sadang, Mario Katosang, Temmy Shmull, Otoichi Besebes, Delegates Joel Toribiong and Noah Secharraimul.
The Governors who showed up were Laurentino Ulechong, Obak Demei, Vicky Kanai, John Skebong, Lazarus Kodep, Duane Hideo, Edwin Chokai and Masasinge Arurang.
The traditional chiefs and the women of Ngarchelong were also present.