The handover ceremony for “The Project for the Construction of a Sanitary Facility for Kokusai Park in Ngatpang State” was held on December 2, 2025, marking the 103rd project under the Embassy of Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP). This ceremony celebrates a full year of collaboration that began with the signing of the grant contract between Ambassador of Japan to Palau, H.E. ORIKASA Hiroyuki, and Governor of Ngatpang State, Hon. Jersey Iyar, on October 11, 2024, followed by the groundbreaking ceremony held on February 18, 2025.
The event was attended by Rebelkuul Felix Osilek, Rubeang Hiromi Nabeyama, Floor Leader of Ngatpang State Legislature Hon. John Techitong, Hon. Legislator Jerry Nabeyama, Hon. Legislator Elin R. Kloulechad, members of the Ngatpang women’s group Ngaramengidab and other community members, whose participation highlighted the importance of this project to the community.
With funding from the Government of Japan totaling USD $92,694.00, the project realized the construction of a modern and accessible restroom facility equipped with handwashing stations, hand dryers, new toilets, and an additional water tank to ensure sufficient capacity during dry seasons. This facility will support people’s safe access to sanitary facilities during many cultural and social activities held at Kokusai Park, including family gatherings, public meetings, weekly local market sales, and when the park functions as an evacuation site in the event of disaster. The project’s goal is to improve public health services, enhance sanitation standards, and promote clean and safe cultural activities at the park by enabling more people to use the restroom without impediment.
The timely handover of this project, just weeks before Christmas, serves as a meaningful gift to the people of Ngatpang and the broader community. With the park now better equipped to host events throughout the holiday season and beyond, the new facility stands as a symbol of partnership and goodwill between Japan and Palau.
At the ceremony, Ambassador ORIKASA shared his remarks, stating, “Everyone needs financial support, but when you are close friends or family, a lack of money doesn’t change the relationship. You don’t stop being family, and you don’t stop being friends. What truly matters is trust and mutual understanding. We work together, we sweat together, and sometimes we struggle and cry together. That is the Japan–Palau relationship—one built on trust, transparency, and accountability.”
Governor Iyar expressed his gratitude for Japan’s continued assistance and remarked, “Ambassador, your continued support helps build and strengthen our relationship and partnership, not only with the Republic of Palau as a whole, but most especially our beautiful state of Ngatpang.”
The Government of Japan’s GGP program was launched in Palau in 1999 to support grassroots development needs in education, healthcare, public safety, and infrastructure. Since then, the Embassy of Japan has signed 105 grant contracts with schools, hospitals, state governments, and NGOs, contributing to sustained improvements across communities in Palau. For further information on the GGP program or this project, please contact the Embassy of Japan at 488-6455 or visit the official website at www.palau.emb- japan.go.jp.
Like this:
Loading…
