World Bank to Fund FSM Skills and Employability Enhancing Project

PALIKIR, POHNPEI. January 25, 2023 (CFSM- Pohnpei Delegation Office)– The 6th and final Regular Session of the 22nd Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia adjourned sine-die on Friday January 20, 2023 with the adoption of ten resolutions that included a grant from the World Bank to fund the FSM Skills and Employability Enhancing Project (SEEP).

The World Bank grant was approved through the adoption of Congressional Resolution (C.R.) 22-173. A grant in the amount of SDR 12,700,000 (Special Drawing Rights) to fund the FSM Skills and Employability Enhancing Project (SEEP). According to the Committee, the grant will pass through the National Government to the State Governments for their use in secondary vocational education programs and/or to the College of Micronesia-FSM for funding existing vocational education programs under the College.

The Congress also adoptedC.R. 22-194. A resolution requesting the Office of the National Public Auditor to audit the accounts, books, and other financial records of the Department of Finance and Administration in regards to the funds reserved to cover the potential National Government liability in the FSM vs. Pacific International, Inc. case.

The following Presidential Nominations were confirmed through the adoption of Congressional Resolutions: C.R. 22-193, C.R. 22-188 and C.R. 22-187. The nominations of Mr. Sebastian Anefal to the MiCare Board, representing the state of Yap, Ms. Maria Laaw to the FSM Petroleum Corporation Board, representing the private sector, and Mr. Kind Kanto to the MiCare Board, representing the state of Chuuk respectively.

Lastly are grants also approved by the Congress through the adoption of the following resolutions:

C.R. 22-192, a grant in the amount of $110,870 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, to fund the Maternal and Child Health Services Block Grant to the States, to fund the FSM Maternal and Child Health Services for the first quarter of the budget period October 1, 2022 to September 30, 2024.

C.R. 22- 191, a grant in the amount of $ 908,299 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to fund and accelerate the prevention and control of HIV, Viral Hepatitis, Sexually Transmitted Disease and Tuberculosis in the Federated States of Micronesia and U.S. Affiliated Pacific Islands.

C.R. 22-190, a grant in the amount of $500,000 from the United States Department of the Interior, Office of Insular Affairs (OIA), to fund the FSM Single Audit for FY2022 as required under the Amended Compact.

C.R. 22-185, a grant in the amount of $3,850,302 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to fund Component A- strengthening the public health infrastructure, workforce, and data systems in the FSM.

C.R. 22-148, a grant in the amount of $85,000, from the United Nations Environment Programme, to fund the implementation of the Montreal Protocol Institutional Strengthening Phase VIII Project.

Unless a Special Session is called earlier by the Speaker before the Congressional General Election in March, the 6th Regular Session was the final regular session of the 22nd Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia.

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