During the 3rd Regular Session (January 26 – February 14, 2016) of the 19th FSM Congress, Senator Victor Gouland of Chuuk State’s Election District #2 introduced Congressional Bill No. 19-131 appropriating over $3 million dollars at $250,000.00 each member of Congress “to fund public projects and social programs in the States of Yap, Kosrae, Pohnpei and Chuuk, and for other purposes.”
Is it coincidental that this appropriation is happening at the start of the campaign season for the March 2017 General Elections? Not at all. This has been the same congressional Playbook since Compact I. The projects are the same since 2008, but with different crooks to distribute these public funds as part of their campaign treasure basket.
Get ready as the congressmen are about to walk the paths, drive the roads, sail the seas, fly the skies to visit your community for their usual drive-by charame and their unscrupulous handouts known as “Christmas Drops.” Be sure to attend their public meetings and exercise your right to know. Question their funding priorities. Ask who is benefiting from these projects. Ask how these projects are helping our municipalities, state and nation to prepare for 2023 when the economic provision of the Compact ends. Ask why only $17,000 is allocated for student scholarships out of $1.5 million dollars for the Chuuk delegation.
In the table below, you can find the exact project description, amount, and the congressman from Chuuk State who will be spending these public funds. The first column is my attempt to categorize these line items for easy public understanding.
Note: You can click on the arrow at the top of each column to alphabetize or sort the items in the column.
| Category | Project Description | Amount | Congressman |
|---|---|---|---|
| Repair | Public Facilities repair and improvement | $30,000 | Wesley Simina |
| Youth | Youth Activities programs and projects | $32,000 | Wesley Simina |
| Students | Students Financial Assistance | $7,000 | Wesley Simina |
| Housing | Low Income Housing subsidy | $30,000 | Wesley Simina |
| Travel | Farmers and students land transportation | $17,000 | Wesley Simina |
| Travel | Leadership exposures and travel | $15,000 | Wesley Simina |
| Farming | Farmers planting tools and seedling project | $14,800 | Wesley Simina |
| Operations | CSCIP operation | $5,000 | Wesley Simina |
| Rental | Offices Rental and Operations Commission | $7,000 | Wesley Simina |
| Travel | POL and Charter | $13,200 | Wesley Simina |
| Operations | At-Large Office Operation | $20,000 | Wesley Simina |
| Sports | Sports facilities construction (basketball courts) | $11,000 | Wesley Simina |
| Fishing | Fishing gear and equipment | $25,000 | Wesley Simina |
| Construction | Seawall and Taro Patches Protection | $10,000 | Wesley Simina |
| Repair | Multipurpose building repair and renovation | $5,000 | Wesley Simina |
| Food | Feeding program | $10,000 | Wesley Simina |
| Medical | Medical referral and repatriation of remains | $10,000 | Wesley Simina |
| Construction | OCHAP Community Hall Construction | $5,000 | Wesley Simina |
| Municipality | Tonoas Municipal Government inauguration activities | $1,000 | Wesley Simina |
| Municipality | Udot Municipal Government inauguration activities | $1,000 | Wesley Simina |
| Municipality | Kuttu Municipal Government inauguration activities | $1,000 | Wesley Simina |
| Students | Students' Financial Assistance | $0 | Florencio Harper |
| Debt Relief | Mortlock Development Commission outstanding debts (past and present) | $8,119 | Florencio Harper |
| Municipality | Ta Municipality subsidy | $3,000 | Florencio Harper |
| Housing & Transportation | Community Housing improvement / freight or charter | $45,000 | Florencio Harper |
| Conference | Leadership Conference | $15,000 | Florencio Harper |
| Travel | Leadership travel | $10,000 | Florencio Harper |
| Youth | Youth musical instruments | $0 | Florencio Harper |
| Housing | Housing Improvement | $21,881 | Florencio Harper |
| Travel | Transportation needs | $5,851 | Florencio Harper |
| Operations | CSCIP | $4,149 | Florencio Harper |
| Travel | Sea transportation assistance | $7,200 | Florencio Harper |
| Operations | Mortlock Development Community operation | $22,800 | Florencio Harper |
| Municipality | Pou (Weno) Community Center Improvement | $0 | Florencio Harper |
| Health | Health and Sanitary project | $11,000 | Florencio Harper |
| Operations | ED #1 Operation | $11,000 | Florencio Harper |
| Operations | Administrative Support costs for Delegation | $0 | Florencio Harper |
| Food | Food Relief Assistance | $0 | Florencio Harper |
| Solar | Solar System Project | $85,000 | Florencio Harper |
| Sports | Basketball court | $4,064 | Victor Gouland |
| Facilities | Meeting Halls | $0 | Victor Gouland |
| Unknown | Neoram, Nepukos ($10,000) | $1,540 | Victor Gouland |
| Unknown | Faichu, Eor ($6,000) | $600 | Victor Gouland |
| Unknown | Faramas, Sapuk ($4,000) | $0 | Victor Gouland |
| Unknown | Neinifach, Mwan ($5,000) | $0 | Victor Gouland |
| Municipality | Fonoton Municipal subsidy | $15,396 | Victor Gouland |
| Operations | Public school / bus operation | $35,000 | Victor Gouland |
| Construction | Road construction | $0 | Victor Gouland |
| Repatriation | Repatriation of human remains | $6,000 | Victor Gouland |
| Culture | Kokumy cultural celebration | $4,000 | Victor Gouland |
| Operations | CSCIP | $10,000 | Victor Gouland |
| Operations | NNDA operation | $25,000 | Victor Gouland |
| Housing | Housing assistance ($15,000) | $25,600 | Victor Gouland |
| Fishing | Fishing projects | $20,000 | Victor Gouland |
| Medical | Medical supplies & equipment | $0 | Victor Gouland |
| Travel | Leadership travel & exposure | $10,000 | Victor Gouland |
| Repair | Public facilities repair and improvement | $33,000 | Victor Gouland |
| Supplies | Purchase of heavy equipment and heavy equipment parts | $40,000 | Victor Gouland |
| Operations | Election District No. 3 Operation | $25,000 | Bonsiano Nethon |
| Housing | Housing and Community Halls | $45,500 | Bonsiano Nethon |
| Fishing | Fishing projects | $15,000 | Bonsiano Nethon |
| Repairs | Fiberglass boats repair | $5,000 | Bonsiano Nethon |
| Municipality | Municipality inauguration activities | $4,500 | Bonsiano Nethon |
| Sports | Sport Tournaments facilities / supplies | $3,000 | Bonsiano Nethon |
| Food | Feeding program | $10,000 | Bonsiano Nethon |
| Sewing | Crafting and sewing projects | $7,000 | Bonsiano Nethon |
| Farming | Market / local produce | $10,000 | Bonsiano Nethon |
| Operations | CSCIP operation | $5,000 | Bonsiano Nethon |
| Business | Subsidy for entrepreneurships and business start up | $10,000 | Bonsiano Nethon |
| Solar / Computers | Nukuno Christian School solar panels / computers | $10,000 | Bonsiano Nethon |
| Travel | Leadership Travel | $15,000 | Bonsiano Nethon |
| Youth | Youth rehabilitation programs | $9,000 | Bonsiano Nethon |
| Conference | Mayors Leadership Conference | $5,000 | Bonsiano Nethon |
| Travel | Land transportation | $12,500 | Bonsiano Nethon |
| Students | Students' Financial Assistance | $10,000 | Tiwiter Aritos |
| Youth | Youth activities and programs | $10,000 | Tiwiter Aritos |
| Travel | Leadership exposure and travel | $15,000 | Tiwiter Aritos |
| Operations | FDA operations | $20,000 | Tiwiter Aritos |
| Operations | CSCIP operations | $5,000 | Tiwiter Aritos |
| Municipality | Udot Muncipal subsidy | $10,000 | Tiwiter Aritos |
| Housing | Low income housing grant | $40,000 | Tiwiter Aritos |
| Fishing | Iongkumi fishing project | $40,000 | Tiwiter Aritos |
| Boat Repairs | Fiberglass boats repair | $10,000 | Tiwiter Aritos |
| Food | Food relief | $10,000 | Tiwiter Aritos |
| Travel | Land transportation | $20,000 | Tiwiter Aritos |
| Municipality | Polle Municipal subsidy | $10,000 | Tiwiter Aritos |
| Operations | ED#4 office operation | $30,000 | Tiwiter Aritos |
| Farming | Famachaw farming project | $10,000 | Tiwiter Aritos |
| Repatriation | Medical referrals & repatriation of remains | $10,000 | Tiwiter Aritos |
| Travel | POL & Charter | $59,000 | Robson Romolow |
| Food | Food Relief | $13,846 | Robson Romolow |
| Rental | Rental office space, office supplies and equipment, communication and utilities | $5,000 | Robson Romolow |
| Students | Students Financial Assistance | $0 | Robson Romolow |
| Medical | Medical referral, pharmaceuticals and repatriation of remains | $14,426 | Robson Romolow |
| Operations | CSCIP | $5,000 | Robson Romolow |
| Operations | Project Management | $20,000 | Robson Romolow |
| Training | On the job training subsidy | $0 | Robson Romolow |
| Land | Land Acquisition for the people of Halls, Weito and Pattiw Islands. | $71,000 | Robson Romolow |
| Land | Land filling in Weno | $0 | Robson Romolow |
| Travel | Transportation needs | $15,000 | Robson Romolow |
| Categories | Project Description | Amount | Congressman |
Definitions:
- POL = Petroleum Oil Lubricant (gas & oil)
- CSCIP = Chuuk State Commission on Improvement Projects
- NNDA = Northern Namoneas Development Authority (same NNDA that was in the Cholymay vs. FSM trial)
$71,000.00 for LAND ACQUITITION for the PEOPELE OF PAFENG, NOMWON WEITÉ & PÁTTIW? WHOSE LAND? Where is the LAND located? WHOS is the LAND SELLER & LAND RIGHTFUL OWNER(S)???
Are the people of the entire Northwest Region aware of such purchase?? Were they inform of such???!!! Under whose consent??! What are the NORTHWEST PEOPLE’S INTENDS TO USE THE LAND FOR? How do the Northwest people know the land DOES NOT RIGHTFULLY & LEGALLY BELONG TO THE SO-CALLED SELLER?
SOMEBODY BETTER LOOK MICROSCOPICALLY INTO THE BACKGROUND OF THE SO-CALLED SELLER AND THE BACKGROUND HISTORY OF THE LAND IN QUESTION OR THE ENTIRE PEOPLE OF THE NORTHWEST REGION STANDS TO LOSE $71,000.00. Or worst, fund someone else’s PERSONAL FAMILY AGENDA DOWN THE NEPOTISM CROOKED PATHWAY.!!! IINOULUMWAAAA! Hör kirh…..
Press,
Kilisou Chapur ren om memaf won $71,000 Land Acquitition even myself i was had that same question when i first came in to office as the whole $71K was a previous appropriation during the 18th congress and the money was long gone. However, when i gather information on the said subject i was told that it was used to purchased and settle school campuses and dispensaries on the northwest islands that are still privately own. so what i know now is that about 95% of the school campuses in the northwest region are now government own. Just for your info. all the funding in the said C.B. 131 Vid referred to were all been used up not even a penny. Thank you
Here we go again with the abuse of funds that were supposedly allocated to schools, hospital and dispensaries and of course preparing ourselves for the worst to come (2023)
Can someone please enlighten me on some of those projects:
1) low housing income
2) food program
3) youth rehabilitation
Do we really have these kind programs in our state?
We copying the idea of low cost housing on ‘Guam’ but in reality its for taking away your right to choose who to vote for. They apply the give and take game.
Why is Student Financial Assistance $0.? When there is more money allocated for travel and conferences? What exactly are these travels and conferences for when results of these conferences are still the same! No change at all. Travels and conferences for these crooks to eat and gamble? Mhmhm sounds legit!
This never fails. When campaign season is upon us, they appropriated $ to use if for their campaign. When is this going to end?…
Vid what about Pohnpei? Do you have a break down like this for Pohnpei?
The breakdown for all the states are in the actual congressional bill itself. Just click on the link and you can see the full breakdown. I just focused on my home state of Chuuk for this website.
Thank you Mr. Raatior!
Don’t worry about Pohnpei… Our congressmen are honest and never abuse any public funds.
Yeah I’m sure they are….. be humble and stop being so prideful.
Kinissow ngenuk ouchea Vid ren omw aninnis ngeni nouch aramas won nounoun inetich $. A fet me watten, nge pwata e $0 mwonien sukun? Mwa met mwa me ei sokkun! Iwe iei ei nouch kkei nouwissin Chuuk re ura ese naff inetich meren ach ei National Government? Sii rukk ren kapas pwun ese match ngeni met ekkei mei fenn affat! Meto voters, sipwe pwan chok sopwei? Ami mei tipe-ew ngeni nounoun inetich $ ika ouse tipe-ew ngeni? Ekiekoch.
Kinisou Vid, ren ekkei info. mi auchea, sia kan fet mo onokewe re-rhuuk non ach angang mi akkameseik me amwarrar…
Nge meit chok mo iei saa point our fingers around ren, nge aa iei me waten ekkei senis pwipwich kei atefon Congressmen repwe ne kan pwan turunufasa ne apwopwoi?
Raa point ekkena fingers ngeni US Government mwirin raa pwan point ngeni FSMG iwe raa kan pwan point ngeni kich aramas osupwang….nge behind those thick walls, raa kan wesen pepeno ren arr takir me meseikeik…onowe mo Election Day me pwunungawomw aa…
Iwe ekkena voters, oune pwan amonnata ekkena turkey tail me tuken rice.!
Vid,
Thank you for your effort to inform the public on important issues relating to the pubic projects appropriations of congress but if you would allow me to make some corrections and clarifications on the above mentioned C.B No.19-131. The said C.B 19-131 was not a recent appropriation of the 19th congress as mentioned. it derives from original appropriations during the 18th congress, it was just reintroduce by other members for amendment purposes either for their lapsing dates of certain project items etc. If I’m not wrong PL 19-54 was the only Pubic Project appropriation during the recent session of the 19th Congress and below are my break down with northwest portion for you and others informations
POL/Freight/Charter 20,000
Community & Low-Income Housing improvement/renovation 35,000
Municipal Subsidy 20,000
Northwest House of Representative Delegations Subsidy 15,000
Community Outreach & Advocacy Program (COAP) 15,000
Students Financial Assistance Subsidy 30,000
Food Relief 20,000
Election District #5 Administrative Support 20,000
Pacific Art Festival Participants Subsidy 30,000
Patient Referral, Funeral & Human Remain Repatration 20,000
Contractual Service for Grant writer 10,000
Solar and Communication System 50,000
Dispensary Boat & Engine 15,000
Water Tanks 15,000
Yolap operation Subsidy 8,000
Land Transportation 17,000
Chuuk Conservation Service subsidy 5,000
Chuuk Women Council (Youth & Family Lerning Resource Center) 5,000
Thank you, sir, for clarifying the actual budget for Northwest in the 19th Congress. I have lots of questions about some of these figures and the rationale behind them, but I will post those questions when I post PL 19-54.
so you congressmen from chuuk are really feeding ur voters to get into NCD prog. then later come to Pohnpei state Hospital and consume our share of medicines, supplies housings etc. why, u only giving to chuuk country instead of giving to the whole nations’ people, , You can not lead the whole country of the Federated state of Micronesia. You really have such limited mind????!!!!!!! Pohnpei Hospital is sharing all the medical serviceses to ur people, and why not share urs to us too. I want to remind u all congressmen, that Christ is the leader for all human beings so why not take his path so we all be happy in one holy nation.