Japan’s GGP Grant to Koror State Rangers
2020/1/30
Japan Hands Over Radio Communication Equipment to Koror State Rangers
On January 24, 2020, Ambassador Akira Karasawa from the Embassy of Japan formally handed over Radio Communication Equipment to Koror State. The handover ceremony for “The Project for Procurement of Radio Communication Equipment to Koror State Rangers” was held at Koror State Rangers Office and attended by Speaker of Legislature Alan T. Marbou and other related personnel from the Koror State Government.
Through Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects, Koror state Rangers were granted the Radio Communication Equipment in the total cost of $62,041. Koror State Rangers were unable to respond to reports of both poaching in conservation areas and requested rescues immediately because they did not have an operating communication system and had to rely on cell phones to transfer messages. However, it was quite tough to reach rangers on patrol as cellphone service is not available in most of Koror State water jurisdiction.
Accordingly, the new Radio Communication System will now allow Koror State Rangers to relay messages and communicate in real time with patrol officers.
At the ceremony, Ambassador Karasawa expressed his hope that the implementation of this project would strengthen maritime security and contribute to safe travel of all users of Koror State water. Speaker Marbou conveyed his appreciation to the Japan Government for its continuous support to Koror State Government.
The Government of Japan launched GGP in 1999, for the purpose of responding to various development needs engaged in grassroots activities in Palau. As of January 24, 2020, the Embassy has signed 80 grant contracts with schools and hospitals as well as state governments and non-profit organizations. Education, health care and environment are the primary fields prioritized by Japan for GGP in order to contribute to sustainable development of Palau. For further information about GGP, please contact 488-6455 or visit the Embassy of Japan website at https://www.palau.emb-japan.go.jp/itprtop_en/index.html.
Japan’s GGP Grant to Koror State Rangers
On February 5, 2019, Charge d'Affaires Takeshi Ogino of the Embassy of Japan and Governor Franco Gibbons of Koror State signed the grant contract for “The Project for Procurement of Radio Communication Equipment for Koror State Rangers,” valued $62,041, under the Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP). The signing ceremony was held at the Embassy of Japan and witnessed by Speaker Alan Marbou of Koror State Legislature and related personnel.
Koror State Rangers are responsible for patrol and monitoring as well as safety for all users of Koror State water jurisdiction including the Rock Islands Southern Lagoon. However, they do not have an operating communication system and rely on cell phones to transfer messages. Currently, due to unstable mobile signals within the patrol area, reports of both poaching in conservation areas and requested rescues are not immediately responded.
In light of this, the Embassy of Japan decided to grant a radio communication system to Koror State Rangers. Procurement of new equipment including repeaters with antenna towers, radio bases and transceivers will allow the Rangers’ command station to relay messages and communicate immediately with officers on site and vice versa.
In his remarks at the ceremony, Charge d'Affaires Ogino expressed his hope that the implementation of this project would strengthen maritime security and contribute to safe travel for all users of Koror State water. Meanwhile, Governor Gibbons showed his appreciation for Japan’s continued assistance to Koror State.
The Government of Japan launched GGP in 1999, for the purpose of responding to various development needs engaged in grassroots activities in Palau. As of February 5, 2019, the Embassy has signed 76 grant contracts with schools and hospitals as well as state governments and non-profit organizations. Education, health care and environment are the primary fields prioritized by Japan for GGP in order to contribute to sustainable development of Palau. For further information about GGP, please contact 488-6455.
