SPC Geoscience Division

President, National Authorising Officer, Director -Office of Environment and Emergency Management, Ladies and Gentlemen

Kasaleilia,

On behalf of the Director-General of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community, Dr Jimmie Rodgers, I extend a warm welcome to all who are here, to witness this occasion. This ground breaking ceremony will mark the commencement of construction of the new national Emergency Operation Centre. While it has taken some time to reach this stage, we are happy to see that work is about to start, and I would like to thank Andrew Yatilman and his team from the Office of Environment and Emergency Management (OEEM) for coordinating implementation of the Disaster Risk Reduction project, also known as the B-Envelope project, particularly Tony Neth, who has been directly involved. I would also like to acknowledge the contribution of the European Union who fund the B-Envelope project, where the sum of €1.5 million is allocated towards disaster management, including the construction of this building.

My affiliation with this project goes back a number of years. In March 2007, I visited Pohnpei as a consultant, to develop FSM’s Country Implementation Plan for this project. It is therefore a very special occasion, to be back here again, to bear witness and officiate in this ceremony, to implement this Plan.