Pohnpei State Dumpsite’s J-PRISM Make-over

On June 27, 2013 a ceremony was held at the Sea Breeze Hotel Conference Room to officially conclude the pilot project of transforming a large portion of Pohnpei’s dumpsite to a semi-aerobic landfill using what has been termed the “Fukuoka Method”. The method was suitably named because it was first developed by the cooperation between Fukuoka University and Fukuoka City in Japan.

Japan Government pledged in the second Pacific Leaders Meeting (PALM) in 2000 that it will assist the Pacific Island Countries in tackling the waste management problems-due to the fact that over several decades, waste management had become a major problem for small island nations such as the FSM. FSM is 1 out of 14 member-countries and by far this pilot project is one of the largest contributions to the FSM through J-PRISM.

Specialists were dispatched to the FSM by JICA through the J-PRISM Project (Japan Promotion of Regional Initiative Solid Management) and with their excessive skills together with counterpart agencies and their staff this Project became a reality.

The project was also introduced to set an example for the Pohnpei State Leadership following some discussions of the possibility of funding a new dumpsite area and also a great opportunity for Pohnpei to tackle the mounting problems of pollution.

Ambassador Eiichi Suzuki of Embassy of Japan in the FSM gave some remarks saying that this project also sends the message to “enhance the efforts of managing waste as well as protect the precious nature of the island of Pohnpei and human security”.

Pohnpei State Senator Robert Nakasone spoke on behalf of Pohnpei State Legislature (PSL) and conveyed PSL’s appreciation of this great project and noted that he will certainly convey to the PSL the positive impact of adopting the Fukuoka Method as a more affordable technique which is beneficial for the Government of Pohnpei.

In other remarks, Mr. Andrew Yatilman the Director of the Office of Emergency and Environmental Management also conveyed his appreciation for the continuous efforts demonstrated by the Government of Japan through JICA and the Embassy of Japan in assisting the FSM states in maintaining the islands cleanliness and beauty not only for the natives but for visitors as well. His remarks were followed by Mr. Watanabe- Solid Waste Management Expert, who encouraged the participants of the ceremony to hone their skills by attending an extensive training session that will be hosted by J-PRISM.

The remarks were concluded by Governor John Ehsa who reiterated his appreciation of the abundant assistance that the Government of Japan has provided for Pohnpei State. He used a local term that conveyed his desire that this type of project can “multiply” within the FSM. He stated resolutely that Pohnpei State will move forward with this project and fervently encouraged the participants to learn the “know how” so they can confidently return to their respective homes with this knowledge. The ceremony was successful with the attendance of high officials of the national, state, municipal governments, NGOs, Embassy staff, and JICA staff.