Palikir, Pohnpei –– On April 29, 2024, H.E. President Wesley W. Simina swore in three appointed individuals to their respective new posts in representing National Government at the President’s Office Conference Room. The ceremony began with an opening prayer administered by Mr. Kandhi Elieisar, followed by the formal administration of the Oath of Office by President Simina to Mr. Akillino Susaia who was first to take the oath of office on his nomination to be the first appointed Permanent Representative and Ambassador to the United Nations and other International Organizations in Geneva, Switzerland. Mr. Susaia has served for many years in many important positions both at home and abroad including as Consul General in Hawaii, Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China, and Ambassador to the United States of America. Second to take the oath of office was Mr. Hainrick Panuelo to serve as the first Director of the Office of Veterans Affairs, which is a new office with cabinet-level portfolio situated in the President’s Office. Mr. Panuelo had served most of his career in the U.S. Army in various posts such as Chief Paralegal in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, and Paralegal Human Resource in Fort Knox, Kentucky. Last to take the oath of office, but not the least, was Ms. Chandra Legdesog, who will be serving as the Deputy Chief of Mission to the FSM Mission in Suva, Fiji. Ms. Legdesog had served in the National Government working at the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Emergency Management (DECEM) in various positions including as Technical Advisor and Project Manager. She also served as a Grant Support Associate for the Pacific Islands Climate Science Center in Mangilao, Guam.
Following the administration of oath by President Simina, he was invited to say a few remarks. The President took the opportunity to thank the oath-takers for accepting his appointment and also thank Congress for confirming the appointments. He also thanked the families, friends and relatives of the newly sworn-in public servants for their support which will be needed to ensure the successful disposition of their assignments. The President also alluded to the fact that he has been fortunate to have appointed more women as Deputy Chiefs of Mission in the overseas missions in line with his policy of gender equality. He then stated that he was looking forward to working with all the three public servants in their new posts, and he expressed his belief that both he and the Nation will benefit from their respective work.
The three sworn-in public servants were also given an opportunity to say a few words. Ambassador Susaia stated that this was not his first nor second swearing-in ceremony but his sixth, and he expressed his hopes that his experience will help in handling his new post in Europe. Healso stated that he and Ms. Legdesog, both of whom are in the Foreign Affairs Department, will strive to do their jobs well and represent the President and the FSM to the best of their abilities.
Mr. Panuelo also made a brief statement where he mentioned that he had spent most of his career in the Army and the only process he knows is the Army process, but he hopes that his new post will be a positive experience for both himself and the Nation. He also stated that he will work to make sure that this new office will remain standing long after he has left his post as director.
