Grant Contract Signing Ceremony for the Project for Construction of Nan Madol Visitor Center
2019/1/23
On January 17, 2019, the Grant Contract Signing Ceremony was held at the Ambassador’s Residence for the Project for Construction of Nan Madol Visitor Center which provided the Department of Resources and Development, Pohnpei State with $181,394USD under Grant Assistance for Cultural Grass-roots Projects.
Although Nan Madol was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in July 2016, it was also inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in Danger at the same time due to the fragile state of preservation and lack of conservation and management system of the site. Thus, the objectives of the project are to preserve and conserve the world heritage site, Nan Madol. The visitor center will control the number of visitors and traffic line, and it will have a function as the base for heritage education for students, visitors and local citizens.
Mr. Nicholson Solomon, Director of Pohnpei State, Department of Resources and Development showed his gratitude for the generous assistance from the Government of Japan. He emphasized that the center will enhance learning opportunities for visitors of different origins and ages. It will also provide students and local people with educational opportunities to learn about the detailed history of Nan Madol.
Ambassador Ryoichi Horie stated that after completion of construction of the visitor center, all the visitors to Nan Madol will be educated and have a deeper understanding about this important world heritage and at the same time, the tourism in Pohnpei and the FSM will be further enhanced. He hoped that Nan Madol will continue to be the World Heritage in its real meaning.
The Hon. Marcelo K. Peterson, Governor of Pohnpei State, conveyed his appreciation to Ambassador Horie and the Government of Japan for the generous donation and stated that Nan Madol is one of the most impressive and important archeological sites in the FSM.
His Magesty. Isipahu, Nahnmarki of Madolenihmw also expressed his sincere appreciation to Ambassador Horie for the support to all the people of Pohnpei. He also vested Ambassador Horie with a traditional title "Aron Kiroun Nan Douwas”.
The ceremony was witnessed by Traditional leaders of Madolenihmw Municipality, Governor Peterson and his staff, Mr. Samson E. Pretrick, Deputy Secretary of Department of Foreign Affairs, Staffs of National Government, other distinguished guests, and staff of Embassy of Japan.
Although Nan Madol was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in July 2016, it was also inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in Danger at the same time due to the fragile state of preservation and lack of conservation and management system of the site. Thus, the objectives of the project are to preserve and conserve the world heritage site, Nan Madol. The visitor center will control the number of visitors and traffic line, and it will have a function as the base for heritage education for students, visitors and local citizens.
Mr. Nicholson Solomon, Director of Pohnpei State, Department of Resources and Development showed his gratitude for the generous assistance from the Government of Japan. He emphasized that the center will enhance learning opportunities for visitors of different origins and ages. It will also provide students and local people with educational opportunities to learn about the detailed history of Nan Madol.
Ambassador Ryoichi Horie stated that after completion of construction of the visitor center, all the visitors to Nan Madol will be educated and have a deeper understanding about this important world heritage and at the same time, the tourism in Pohnpei and the FSM will be further enhanced. He hoped that Nan Madol will continue to be the World Heritage in its real meaning.
The Hon. Marcelo K. Peterson, Governor of Pohnpei State, conveyed his appreciation to Ambassador Horie and the Government of Japan for the generous donation and stated that Nan Madol is one of the most impressive and important archeological sites in the FSM.
His Magesty. Isipahu, Nahnmarki of Madolenihmw also expressed his sincere appreciation to Ambassador Horie for the support to all the people of Pohnpei. He also vested Ambassador Horie with a traditional title "Aron Kiroun Nan Douwas”.
The ceremony was witnessed by Traditional leaders of Madolenihmw Municipality, Governor Peterson and his staff, Mr. Samson E. Pretrick, Deputy Secretary of Department of Foreign Affairs, Staffs of National Government, other distinguished guests, and staff of Embassy of Japan.