POHNPEI (Pacnews) — Japan’s resident representative to the Federated States of Micronesia said Japan wants to extend its assistance program to the country’s outer islands once air transport is available.
As part of the Japan International Cooperation Agency’s effort to expand its programs and services to community-based organizations throughout FSM, Resident Representative Hiroshi Saito met with the mayor of Pingelap, Perdin Samson, Pingelap Chief Representative Daniel Isaac and Mwoakilloa Chief Representative Murphy Lipai.
The purpose of the recent meeting was to acquaint the resident representatives of the specific needs and problems of these two islands and to determine how JICA might be able to effectively respond to such needs or problems in the future.
Because small aircraft can now fly to these two islands on short notice, Saito said he would like to explore the possibility of extending technical cooperation and grant aid projects suitable for small islands.
Saito said that once smaller type aircraft can land on other remote islands, he would discuss the possibility of assistance for them as well.
Saito said JICA has been implementing specific projects on Ulithi and Rumung islands in Yap State. He said he also wants include other FSM outer islands in the near future.
