Mortlocks, Chuuk — Earlier this month,His Excellency President Wesley W. Simina and The Honorable Vice President Aren B. Palik concluded an official visit to the outer islands of the Mortlocks region as part of their ongoing outreach efforts to connect with communities across the nation.
From October 28th to November 2nd, the delegation, which included Madame First Lady Ancelly Simina, Second Lady Adelita Palik, Chuuk State Governor Alexander Narruhn and the First Lady of Chuuk along with other leaders, senior officials and technical staff from both the FSM and Chuuk state governments, visited the islands of Ta, Kuttu, Moch and Satowan.
The visit began on the island of Ta, where President Simina and Vice President Palik officiated the opening of the newly upgraded airstrip, now spanning approximately 3,000 feet. This upgrade is a significant step in boosting connectivity and accessibility for the Mortlocks region. Madame First Lady Simina, Second Lady Palik, and the First Lady of Chuuk joined together to cut the ribbon in a symbolic celebration of this achievement. The visit coincided with Ta’s Inauguration of their locally elected leaders, adding a festive spirit to the occasion.
In Kuttu, President Simina and Vice President Palik and the delegation participated in the inauguration of the newly elected Mayor, Deputy Mayor and members of their Council, marking another memorable event in their historic visit.
Moch Island, celebrating the inaugural visit of President Simina and Vice President Palik, welcomed them and their delegation with enthusiasm. During their visit, representatives from Moch’s Catholic Church requested support for additional kneeling pews, an appeal that further highlights the FSM leadership’s commitment to community needs and support for cultural and spiritual practices.
On Satowan, President Simina, Vice President Palik and the delegation joined the community in celebrating the opening of the new gymnasium, named the Florencio Harper Gymnasium in honor of the late Honorable Senator Harper. Madame First Lady Simina, Second Lady Palik, and the First Lady of Chuuk state had the honor of cutting the ribbon, followed by President Simina, Vice President Palik, and Governor Narruhn taking the honorary first shots on the new basketball court. This new facility is a testament to Satawan’s commitment to youth development and recreational opportunities, underscoring the importance of health and community activities.
The visit to the Mortlocks region reflects the Simina-Palik administration’s dedication to bridging the distances between the outer islands and the capital, reigning in a spirit of national unity. On all the islands, President Simina announced the national greeting of unity, “KAMORALE”, explaining its meaning and significance. President Simina and Vice President Palik’s support for community events, infrastructure improvements, and cultural celebrations reaffirms their commitment to preserving the unique heritage of each FSM community while strengthening ties across the FSM through people-to-people relations. As they continue their outreach across the nation, the Simina-Palik administration remains dedicated in its mission to support and uplift all citizens, celebrating the shared identity and spirit of unity that unites the Federated States of Micronesia.
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