Wed Sept 30
My e-mail home page lists some headlines from the USA Today. Opening up the home page during lunch today, I saw a headline about a tsunami hitting American Somoa.
For those of you who heard of this and are checking my blog to see if we are ok, thank you for your concern. We are fine.
American Somoa is somewhere south of us in this vast Pacific region. I'm not sure how far south it is, but nothing here is close. My guess is that it is at least 2,000 miles away and probably more. We don't have internet access here so I'm not inclined to check the exact distance.
Should a tsunami hit Pohnpei, Wenonoa and I would most likely be ok. Pohnpei is a very hilly island and our house, my office, and the college where Wenonoa teaches, are situated on hills away from the coast. That said, Tuesday night we were in a building that is right on the waterfront but most of the time we are not too close to the water.
On a weather-related note, Monday night the winds were howling as we tried to sleep and Tuesday morning it rained heavily at the house. I learned that a typhoon hit the Phillipines and that our wind/rain were caused by that storm.
PS - If my references to the days of the week seem to be a day off, it is because Pohnpei sits on the other side of the international date line.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
The road around the island
A pig grazes contently by the side of the road in a more rural area of the island
A few weeks ago I finally made the drive around the island. For most people, it’s one of the first things they do after arriving here. I held off.
Robert Frost famously wrote of a path less traveled. On Pohnpei, there is only route to travel. It circles the island. It goes up and down and curves this way and that. After about 50 miles and 2 ½ hours later, you end up back where you started.
Outside of Kolonia there isn't much to see other than the foliage on the side of the road. I counted the number of other cars we saw on one hand. In addition to Kolonia, there are two population centers that contribute to the island’s count of about 30,000 inhabitants. Both Madolenihnmw (go ahead, try and pronounce it) and Kitti can best be described as small bedroom communities. “Blink and you’ll miss them,” as the saying goes.
As I mentioned I’ve held off taking the drive. I like the idea of a frontier, of the great unknown that exists just past the next turn in the road or just over the next hill.
The road has always symbolized the potential. As the man sang, "these two lanes will take us anywhere." Having taken the drive and ended up right where we started, the island now feels smaller. For the Jack Kerouc's among you, stay off the island unless of course the sea beckons. For pirates, sailors, and the such, there is no shortage of ocean here.
Monday, September 21, 2009
ONPA Press Release
Here is a press release [http://www.fsmopa.fm/new/107.htm] my office issued regarding a recently released audit report:
The Office of the National Public Auditor announces the release of report No. 2009-04 Audit of Congress Funded Public Projects in Chuuk State. The report is available for public review online at the Auditor's website www.fsmopa.fm and copies are available at the Auditor's offices in Palikir and Weno.
The audit was performed with the objectives of determining whether the administration of Congressionally-funded public projects complied with the Financial Management Regulation (FMR) Part X and other applicable laws, policies, and regulations. Congress appropriated approximately $1 million in local revenue funds from Public Law 13-36 (as amended) for the purpose of funding social and economic projects, often referred to as CFSM public projects, in Chuuk State. The audit team examined 39 of the 69 funded projects and focused on fiscal year 2005 - 2008 (thru July 31, 2008) appropriations. The audit was conducted in accordance with Generally Accepted Government Auditing Standards.
The audit team found that parties involved in the selection, management, and oversight of the projects failed to comply with the FMR and other applicable laws, policies, and regulations. Moreover, the overall process from the selection of projects to the payment of vendors was conducted without the benefit of appropriate management controls.
Section 4 of PL13-36 specifies that funding is provided for ��social and economic development projects in the State of Chuuk.� An examination of the projects revealed that 17 projects accounting for approximately one-third of the Chuuk appropriation did not appear to meet the definition of �social and economic development project.� These 17 projects were, in essence, subsidies for municipal operations and the Chuuk Delegation Office. For example, the Chuuk Delegation Office was awarded $40,000 for the purpose of defraying its operating costs and another $20,000 was awarded for a project titled �Chuuk Delegation Office Operation.� Similarly, the Southern Namoneas region received $45,000 for the purpose of subsidizing general municipal operations. Polle, Satawon, and Ta also received funding to defray operating costs.
The audit team found that the project selection process occurred without any documentation as to why the selected projects were chosen, how they would contribute to the social and economic development of Chuuk, or what criteria was used to select projects. To ensure transparency in the decision making process and fairness, other organizations establish criteria for evaluating proposals and then document why some projects are selected and others aren�t. The audit also revealed that neither the Chuuk State Commission on Improvement Projects (CSCIP) nor the FSM Finance Field Office in Chuuk could account for vehicles, boats, and boat engines purchased with PL 13-36 funds. Seven vehicles, four boats, and ten engines were purchased in conjunction with the 39 projects reviewed. However, no boats or engines could be located or accounted for. Similarly, six of the seven vehicles could not be located or accounted for. Though Project Control Documents (PCDs) are intended to ensure that all purchases are for the project�s intended purpose and within authorized limits, the audit team found that not all expenditures were appropriate and/or within the budget. The Chuuk Delegation Office project and the Chuuk Delegation Office Operations project had the stated purposes of defraying operating costs. However, funds were used to pay reimbursements to Congress members and to make contributions to constituents. In essence, these funds were used as representation funds although the original intent was for the operations of the Chuuk Delegation Office. Auditors also found that funds for a fishing project were used to purchase a vehicle and construction material. A total of 21 of the 69 projects reviewed (30%) exceeded the dollar amount appropriated by law. Inappropriate purchases were allowed to be made because the CSCIP did not have a process for reviewing expenditure requests to verify that the purchases related to the project purpose (as stated on the PCD) prior to CSCIP�s submittal of the request to the Finance Field Office. Similarly, the Finance Field Office lacked a procedure for reviewing requests prior to certifying fund availability and making payment.
The audit also revealed that there were no controls to ensure projects were completed. FSM 10.7 requires that the allottee designate a project inspection official in order to ensure proper oversight and accountability. The project official should be listed on the PCD. However, 87% of the PCDs reviewed did not include a designated project inspection official. Moreover, payments should not be approved by the CSCIP unless a project inspection has been completed. Site inspections conducted by the audit team revealed that several of these projects such as sea walls, a pathway, and a meeting hall were never completed. Furthermore, payments for construction materials related to these projects were paid though the materials could not be accounted for because the FSM Finance Field Office did not require submittal of a completed inspection report.
Some of the findings have been referred to the Compliance Investigation Division for further review. The results of the audit were discussed with the Chuuk State Commission on Improvement Projects, the FSM Finance Field Office, and with Chuuk Congress members. The CSCIP, the Field Office and the Congress Members did not provide the customary written response to the audit.
The Office of the National Public Auditor announces the release of report No. 2009-04 Audit of Congress Funded Public Projects in Chuuk State. The report is available for public review online at the Auditor's website www.fsmopa.fm and copies are available at the Auditor's offices in Palikir and Weno.
The audit was performed with the objectives of determining whether the administration of Congressionally-funded public projects complied with the Financial Management Regulation (FMR) Part X and other applicable laws, policies, and regulations. Congress appropriated approximately $1 million in local revenue funds from Public Law 13-36 (as amended) for the purpose of funding social and economic projects, often referred to as CFSM public projects, in Chuuk State. The audit team examined 39 of the 69 funded projects and focused on fiscal year 2005 - 2008 (thru July 31, 2008) appropriations. The audit was conducted in accordance with Generally Accepted Government Auditing Standards.
The audit team found that parties involved in the selection, management, and oversight of the projects failed to comply with the FMR and other applicable laws, policies, and regulations. Moreover, the overall process from the selection of projects to the payment of vendors was conducted without the benefit of appropriate management controls.
Section 4 of PL13-36 specifies that funding is provided for ��social and economic development projects in the State of Chuuk.� An examination of the projects revealed that 17 projects accounting for approximately one-third of the Chuuk appropriation did not appear to meet the definition of �social and economic development project.� These 17 projects were, in essence, subsidies for municipal operations and the Chuuk Delegation Office. For example, the Chuuk Delegation Office was awarded $40,000 for the purpose of defraying its operating costs and another $20,000 was awarded for a project titled �Chuuk Delegation Office Operation.� Similarly, the Southern Namoneas region received $45,000 for the purpose of subsidizing general municipal operations. Polle, Satawon, and Ta also received funding to defray operating costs.
The audit team found that the project selection process occurred without any documentation as to why the selected projects were chosen, how they would contribute to the social and economic development of Chuuk, or what criteria was used to select projects. To ensure transparency in the decision making process and fairness, other organizations establish criteria for evaluating proposals and then document why some projects are selected and others aren�t. The audit also revealed that neither the Chuuk State Commission on Improvement Projects (CSCIP) nor the FSM Finance Field Office in Chuuk could account for vehicles, boats, and boat engines purchased with PL 13-36 funds. Seven vehicles, four boats, and ten engines were purchased in conjunction with the 39 projects reviewed. However, no boats or engines could be located or accounted for. Similarly, six of the seven vehicles could not be located or accounted for. Though Project Control Documents (PCDs) are intended to ensure that all purchases are for the project�s intended purpose and within authorized limits, the audit team found that not all expenditures were appropriate and/or within the budget. The Chuuk Delegation Office project and the Chuuk Delegation Office Operations project had the stated purposes of defraying operating costs. However, funds were used to pay reimbursements to Congress members and to make contributions to constituents. In essence, these funds were used as representation funds although the original intent was for the operations of the Chuuk Delegation Office. Auditors also found that funds for a fishing project were used to purchase a vehicle and construction material. A total of 21 of the 69 projects reviewed (30%) exceeded the dollar amount appropriated by law. Inappropriate purchases were allowed to be made because the CSCIP did not have a process for reviewing expenditure requests to verify that the purchases related to the project purpose (as stated on the PCD) prior to CSCIP�s submittal of the request to the Finance Field Office. Similarly, the Finance Field Office lacked a procedure for reviewing requests prior to certifying fund availability and making payment.
The audit also revealed that there were no controls to ensure projects were completed. FSM 10.7 requires that the allottee designate a project inspection official in order to ensure proper oversight and accountability. The project official should be listed on the PCD. However, 87% of the PCDs reviewed did not include a designated project inspection official. Moreover, payments should not be approved by the CSCIP unless a project inspection has been completed. Site inspections conducted by the audit team revealed that several of these projects such as sea walls, a pathway, and a meeting hall were never completed. Furthermore, payments for construction materials related to these projects were paid though the materials could not be accounted for because the FSM Finance Field Office did not require submittal of a completed inspection report.
Some of the findings have been referred to the Compliance Investigation Division for further review. The results of the audit were discussed with the Chuuk State Commission on Improvement Projects, the FSM Finance Field Office, and with Chuuk Congress members. The CSCIP, the Field Office and the Congress Members did not provide the customary written response to the audit.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Roosters
Little Red Rooster
My first night on the island a rooster interrupted my sleep somewhere around 3 AM. Having grown up in suburbia, I had always believed that roosters make their noise around sunup. Perhaps it hadn’t set its alarm clock correctly? The next few nights at various times when the sky was still dark and the moon still high, the rooster chose to serenade me and I assume everyone else in the vicinity. The hotel I stayed in my first week didn’t have a brochure, if it did, I don’t think roosters crowing in the middle of the night would have been listed as an amenity.
My second week on the island I moved from the hotel to an apartment. Away from the rooster that couldn’t tell time, I looked forward to a full night’s sleep. I assumed that any roosters residing near the apartment would be more aware of rooster protocol and wait for the first light of dawn to sound the wake up call. Of course I was wrong. Sometime during my first and every night after, a cockaduduldoo would pierce the darkness.
When I’d mention my perplexity in a somewhat sleep deprived state, my co-workers would just chuckle and tell me I’d get use to it. It just didn’t seem possible to me. I can understand how urban dwellers get use to the sounds of cars, and horns, and sirens. One can tune out a constant background noise but the rooster?
The roosters seemed different. Their noise comes out of nowhere. One minute there is silence and the next minute a shrill sound slides into your ear canal and yells surprise. After a month, I moved from the apartment into a house and, of course, there are roosters next door.
I’ve been on the island 6 months and now I sleep just fine. I hadn’t thought about those early rooster-filled nights until yesterday. A new Canadian on the island asked, in that same bewildered voice I had my first month, if one gets use to the roosters. It was his sixth night on the island. The group of us ex-pats, who have all been here for at least a few months, all assured him that he would.
Monday, September 7, 2009
Football
Football
My weekly routine now often includes Saturday afternoon football.
A few months ago as I was leaving the house one day, my landlord’s son Boya was outside throwing a football with a cousin. I stopped and tossed a few with them. As we played, a few more cousins came over from their houses and joined us. I didn’t see the football after that afternoon and when I inquired, I learned they had lost the ball.
When I went to Guam I picked up a football at the Kmart there so that we could play again. Now, if I’m around on Saturday afternoon and I see Boya hanging around, I ask if he’d like to play. He yells out something in Pohnpein and within 5 minutes a half dozen kids will appear out of nowhere and we’ll play.
Their knowledge of football is, of course, limited. Amusingly, the one thing they all know to do is to cross into the endzone, spike the ball, and yell touchdown. The game we play is a wonderful mix of football, rugby, and just plain running around but they seem to love it.
I don’t want to take the fun out of playing but part of me can’t help but try and teach them some basics. After running around for a while, I then organize them and have them run passing drills with me as the quarterback. The first week I just had them run a simple pattern. The next week I introduced the idea of a defender and the third week I had them line up with two receivers and two defenders. I’m working on the concept of incomplete passes and a set of downs but we aren’t quite there yet.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)