At a ceremony at the Japan Embassy in Majuro, Police Commissioner Hemona Jack and Japan Ambassador Hirohisa Soma, third and second from right, respectively, signed the grant agreement for the firefighting vehicles. They are joined by Cabinet ministers and Marshall Islands Police Department officers.
Japan and Marshall Islands officials signed a Japan Grassroots and Human Security Grant for $154,839 to purchase three recycled fire trucks for Majuro.
Japan Ambassador Hirohisa Soma and RMI Police Commissioner Hemona Jack signed the agreement Tuesday at the Japan Embassy in Majuro.
The signing was witnessed by Minister-In-Assistance to the President and Environment Bremity Lakjohn, Minister of Justice, Immigration and Labor Wisely Zackhras, Minister of Transportation, Communication and Information Technology Hilton Kendall, law enforcement representatives and other officials.
Through this grant, Japan will provide three recycled fire trucks to Majuro Atoll: a chemical pump truck, a personnel transport/command vehicle for Uliga Headquarters, and a pump truck for Laura Fire Station). The aim is strengthen the Marshall Islands Police Department’s disaster prevention and rescue systems.
These vehicles are scheduled to be refurbished by the Society for the Promotion of Japanese Diplomacy and delivered to Majuro later this year, with on-site training to be conducted upon delivery.
The provision of the fire trucks is in response to the fire at the Nitijela building last August and is aligned with one of the key recommendations in the Nitijela Building Fire Response and Recovery Plan announced last September to “strengthen the Fire Division’s capacity with modern equipment, training, and enhanced inter-agency coordination.”
This project reflects Japan’s commitment to the disaster prevention and countermeasures outlined in the priority area of “Environment and Climate Change” in its Country Development Assistance Policy for the Marshall Islands, said the Japan ambassador.
“By maintaining Majuro’s capital functions and protecting its cosmopolitan areas, we are working together to ensure that the RMI remains a safe and secure home for all its citizens,” said Ambassador Soma.
Commissioner Jack expressed gratitude for the support of the government and people of Japan and remarked, “these fire trucks will significantly help improve our response time, expand our coverage areas and most importantly save and protect property.”
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