NARA GARDENS APT.
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Contact: bnn_fsm@yahoo.com
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BNN PROS-N-CONS
(Bermin News Network) featuring News and Views of the Federated States of Micronesia
Bermin F. Weilbacher, Editor
Contact: bnn_fsm@yahoo.com
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CURRENT NEWS & EVENTS - MARCH 2010
****The basic law of SUPPLY AND DEMAND works only when the consumers get involved. And when they do, they can effectively stop the flow of any product into their communities. The Mand Community in Madolenihmw (home of the famous Ruins of Nan Madol) has taken the lead where laws could not take effect.
Mand Community has banned soft drinks at community functions for health reasons.
On February 14, 2010, the Mand Community in Madolenihmw voted to establish a policy that the community will no longer be having or using soft drinks in its meetings and other gatherings of the community because of its hazard to human health. Mand Community consists of five “kousapw” or land sections that officially make up the Pwihn Keisu, Madolenihmw Municipality. This policy is made because of the health concerns that exist in the community. The concerns mainly come from the prevalent number of diabetic cases in the community and other health ailments that result from diabetes. Diabetes has become a world-wide health problem and here in Pohnpei, as determined by the 2008 Pohnpei STEPs Survey, we know now that one in three Pohnpei adults has diabetes.
Before the policy was voted upon, it was explained that the right to individually
consume soft drinks remains with each individual. He or she has the choice to
drink soft drinks or not to drink soft drinks. However, for the community functions,
the community as a group has decided that it is no longer using or having soft
drinks in its functions because of its hazard to human health.
On the other hand, when the law takes affect, is it as effective as the consumers' demand?
BETEL NUT BANNED IN MARSHALL ISLANDS
Lawmakers cite public health concerns
HONOLULU (Pacific Islands Report, March 3, 2010) – The Marshall Islands have
banned the importation and sale of betel nuts in the country citing public health
concerns. According to the Marshall Islands Journal, the Nitijela (legislature)
last week approved a bill banning the widely-used stimulant, which is chewed,
causing the user to spit a reddish residue. The lawmakers noted the defacing
of public property along with concerns that the spitting might transmit diseases.
The new law makes it a crime to import, distribute or sell betel nut in the
Marshalls, backed by a fine of up to $100 and 30 days in jail. The chewing of
betel nut, which has a mild effect similar to coffee, has traditional underpinnings
throughout Micronesia.
BNN: Betel nut chewing was always been a thing for Yap, Palau and Guam. Very recently however, betel nut chewing along with tobacco, surfaced in other islands mainly in Pohnpei, Kosrae and now the Marshall Islands. Not sure why Chuuk has not learned to chew.
Are we witnessing a duel between the legal and traditional systems over the solution to poor health?
****FSM Public Auditor's report on abuse
of credit cards...it makes us sick.
Office of the National Public Auditor Releases Audit Report on Telecom Credit Card Usage
(Palikir, Pohnpei, March 5, 2010) via the FSM PIO...
The Office of the National Public Auditor (ONPA) announces the release of Audit Report No. 2010-04, Audit of Telecom Credit Card Use. Soft copy of the report is available for public review online at www.fsmopa.fm and hard copies are available at the ONPA’s offices in Palikir, Pohnpei and Weno, Chuuk. The audit was conducted in accordance with Generally Accepted Government Auditing Standards (GAGAS) issued by the Comptroller General of the United States. ONPA performed this audit after a recent financial audit done by Deloitte and Touche revealed that Telecom’s corporate credit cards had been used for personal purchases.
In reviewing Telecom’s credit card practices, the ONPA found that personal use of the credit cards occurred routinely. Telecom’s executives charged over $27,000 of personal items during the audit period of October 2006 through May 2009. Over $7,000 of personal charges was still owed to Telecom as of May 2009 of which $3,600 had been owed for more than 240 days.
Telecom’s executives did not always submit supporting documents for purchases
made with credit cards. As a result, the audit could not verify the validity
of 107 transactions totaling $41,528. Of these, 80 transactions totaling $25,697
in airfare, hotel and restaurant could not be verified as to business-related
or personal because Telecom did not retain receipts or invoices.
Telecom incurred interest and late charges resulting from the personal use.
A total of $2,294 in interest charges and late fees was incurred during the
period of audit however it could not be determined how much was actually caused
by personal charges.
Credit cards were used by the officers to pay for meals and entertainment and
charged to representation expenditures. In 10 of the 12 months of Fiscal Year
2008, one officer charged more than $1,000 per month in meals and entertainment.
It was found that 41 meals and receptions exceeded $500 each during the period
of audit. The audit states that Telecom is an entity of the FSM government and
therefore by statute it exists for the benefit of the public and should only
incur indebtedness for the purpose of expanding and improving telecommunications
facilities. The audit recommended that the Board provide more guidance to its
officers regarding representation in order to ensure that funds are used prudently
and in the best interest of Telecom and the FSM.
The audit revealed that Telecom did not adhere to its policies and procedures. Credit cards were used for items ranging from travel expenses to representation to personal expenses to items purchased over the internet. Additionally, usage was not limited to the corporate officers. The Executive Secretary was often given the task of making travel and other internet purchases for management, other employees and the Board of Directors. Concern that controls were not sufficient to prevent unauthorized use of the credit cards is discussed. The report also notes that the policies and procedures should be updated by the Board of Directors to reflect changes in practice.
The audit also discussed concern that Telecom incurred excessive expenses when
taxis were used by the executives for personal errands. The report cites one
such trip to Honolulu during which over $200 was spent going to Costco, Ross,
Home Depot and the zoo. The report recommends that the Board develop a policy
regarding the use of the taxis. It also recommends that the Board review the
taxi charges incurred by Telecom and consider requiring the executives to reimburse
Telecom for any charges the Board finds to be inappropriate.
The audit revealed weaknesses in Telecom’s internal control processes and provides specific recommendations to strengthen control to minimize the likelihood in the future that cards would be used to make unauthorized purchases.
Telecom’s executive management generally agreed with the audit findings and
recommendations, and management’s written response is included as an appendix
to the audit report.
****An outstanding issue?
(Pohnpei, March 5, 2010) Item No. 13. of the FSM President's supplemental budget to the FSM Congress, as reported by the government news room.
"Postal Service $15,338 (approved) Founding for the travel needs of this
agency to begin the preliminary meetings between the FSM and U.S. Postal System
on an outstanding issue. "
Does the government wish to tell the public about the OUTSTANDING ISSUE? Is it the money order issue or ban on shipment of certain products from the FSM to the US or what?
****A BUSINESSMAN'S ANGUISH IN THE CURRENT ATTEMPT TO REVISE THE FOREIGN INVESTMENT LAW----"....NO MATTER HOW MANY LAWS YOU PASS, WHATEVER YOU DO TO IMPROVE THE ECONOMY, BLA, BLA, BLA,......IF YOU DON'T IMPROVE THE INVESTMENT CLIMATE ON THE GROUND, NO BUSINESSMAN IN HIS RIGHT MIND WILL WANT TO INVEST IN THE ISLAND...and the country to boot, as the World Bank recently ranked the FSM dead last with Timor Leste as having the poorest (in the extreme) business climate in the region...."
****GREED AND IGNORANCE RUINED A BEAUTIFUL ISLAND CALLED POHNPEI.
Above left: In 1975, 42% of Pohnpei was under forest.
Above right: 20 years later, due to forest clearing for planting crops, the 42% has shrunked to 15%. It is now 15 years later since that last survey and we have not seen any new data yet.
****AWESOME! SIMPLY AWESOME!! CHECK IT OUT AT...http://www.pohnpeisurfclub.com
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BNN PHOTO GALLERY
Hopefully the pile of coral fronting the majestic Rock will be removed soon.
They get free ride to vote anyway. Now they get a free Voter ID card but will they vote?
Banner seen at airport terminal in Pohnpei: Are we asking visitors to make our islands safe or should we be making our islands safe for visitors. In that case make the banner more visible to the locals, like in town or the villages, no?
Pohnpei Airport Office: Pity it blocks the natural beauty of Pohnpei that our visitors come in contact with upon arrival.
The natural beauty of the islands depicted by the flowers and the bird
More tree vendors of this type is what we need. It encourages use of local food products and beautifies the place.
This is what contributes to our unhealthy state---imported food stuff like ramen and soft drinks, cookies, candies, sandwiches. They don't encourage production of local foods.
Top left: Man's propensity to trash his environment. Top right: Man's effort to stay longer on his own trashed earth.
(L) Wrestling in the dark (R) Enjoying the coolness before El Nino arrives.
View from Payeke dike, U
Take your family for a picnic day (above) and cook your own local food with the local microwave (below).
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2010 CALENDAR OF EVENTS
March 2010
**Yap Day, Yap
**Women's Day
**Marine cable carrying fiber optics funtional in Pohnpei.
**COMFSM Madness Sale, Pohnpei
**State National Leadership, Pohnpei
**FSM Congress Special Session
**Annual Culture and Tradition Day, Pohnpei
APRIL 2010
**ONE YEAR AWAY FROM INAUGURAL FLIGHT AFTER COMPLETION OF EXTENSION OF POHNPEI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT RUNWAY. See two photos below.
**Micronesian Youth Service Network, Pohnpei
May 2010
**Economic Summit, Pohnpei?
June 2010
**Cancer Control Leadership Institute (CCLI), Los Angeles
**PIBBA conference, Marshall Islands
August 2010
**Micronesian Games, Palau.
September 2010
**Liberation Day, Kosrae
**Liberation Day, Pohnpei
October 2010
**Tuna Commission annual meeting, Pohnpei
**Pacific Fiduciary Association Conference, Pohnpei
December 2010
**Tuna Commission summit, Pohnpei
**FSM Cancer Steering Committee, Chuuk
Let us know other events during the year
Contact: bnn_fsm@yahoo.com
