Japan Provides Grant Assistance to Pohnpei 3 Schools for Sanitation
The Government of Japan provided $88,394 to the Pohnpei State Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for the Project for “The Improvement and Enhancement of Sanitation at 3 schools in Pohnpei” under the Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grass-roots Human Security.
Signing G/C witnessed by Governor Ehsa
The Project was first suggested by a Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteer (JOCV) who works at EPA, when the Embassy had an opportunity to exchange views on environmental issues in the FSM with JOCV environmental education volunteers. Since then, the rounds of consultations and steady efforts were made by EPA including the JOCV, and they led to the success of this project formation. This shows a successful partnership and strategic economic cooperation of Japan involving JOCV, which makes synergy effect. The needs from grassroots were bridged to the Japan’s financial source, and realized as a project.
The project aims to improve and enhance the sanitary facilities at 3 public schools in Pohnpei which have been under severe deteriorated conditions and identified as urgent cases among 27schools which were inspected in Pohnpei. They are Seinwar Elementary School, Mand Elementary School, and Pohnpei Island Central High School.
It is expected at the end of the project that the number of diarrheal germ carriers will decrease; the outbreak of infectious diseases such as cholera could be prevented; and the percentage of school attendance rates will go up.
A Grant Contract signing ceremony was taken place on December 04, 2008 at the State Governor’s Office in Kolonia. Mr. Shoji Sato, Ambassador of Japan to the F.S.M. signed on behalf of the Government of Japan, and Mr.Albert Roby, Executive Officer of EPA also signed the Contract, witnessed by Governor Ehsa and Senator Primo.
This is the second project under the Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grass-roots Human Security in Pohnpei this year. Ambassador Sato advocated that Japan’s economic cooperation is not only the big infrastructure-related projects at the national level but also the grass-roots which respond quickly to the local needs. It could be compared grassroots projects with Sabiki (Kekihr), a fishing method which is to catch small fish. Ambassador said “Grass-roots projects are like Sabiki which is small but sure and quick”. The Japan’s responsive economic cooperation like a grass-roots project is highly expected for the further contribution to the people of FSM.
Left: Mr.Albert Roby
Right: Ambassador Sato