The
December 18, 2024 - January 7, 2025
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Kaselehlie Press
The
December 18, 2024
Free bi-weekly publication
KASELEHLIE PRESS PO Box 2222 Kolonia, Pohnpei, FM 96941
Kpress@mail.fm
Vol. 25 Issue No. 1
(691) 320-6547
President Simina and Vice President Palik light up the capital for the holidays FSM Information Services December 4, 2024 PALIKIR, Pohnpei—In a first at the national capital, His Excellency President Wesley W. Simina and the Honorable Vice President Aren B. Palik lit up the FSM Office of the President with a festive Christmas lights display. The lighting ceremony brought together staff, family, and friends to celebrate the beginning of the holiday season. Ahead of the event, President Simina announced administrative leave for all national government employees from December 23 2024 to January 3rd 2025. In his statement, the President shared his appreciation for their dedication and service. “As we approach the holiday season, I want to take this opportunity to thank each of you and your respective teams for your dedication and hard work throughout the year. Your efforts in serving the Nation and the people of the Federated States of Micronesia are greatly appreciated.” During the lighting ceremony Vice President Palik reiterated the core values of hope and unity that lie at the heart of the Simina-Palik administration. “This is a first for our office, and it’s a beautiful way to bring people together,” said Vice President Palik. “These lights are a symbol of hope, unity, and the joy of the season.” Merry Christmas from the Office of the President!
Auditors refer find of $25K in undeposited funds in U Municipality to Attorney General By Bill Jaynes The Kaselehlie Press December 14, 2024 U, Pohnpei—The Pohnpei Office of the Public Auditor (POPA) has referred a detailed investigation report on the U Municipal Government (UMG) cash count to the State Attorney General for further evaluation and possible legal action. A synopsis of the results of the unannounced cash count at the municipal office was contained in a management advisory addressed to U Acting Chief Minister Macyver Obispo and Speaker Mason Albert, dated December 6, 2024.
The last unannounced cash count inspection of the U Municipal Government was conducted in February 2023. The report from that inspection revealed several issues, including revenue reports not being updated, delayed deposits, missing and disorganized files, and unauthorized “borrowing” from cash collections. Though followup investigations confirmed that the borrowed amount—$1,173.87—had been reimbursed, “testimonial evidence revealed that the UMG Accountant ‘borrowed’ all the funds for personal use, citing a lack of management
monitoring.” The surprise cash count conducted this year reviewed revenues collected by the UMG between January and July 2024. The management advisory stated that the “UMG Treasurer and Accountant failed once again to implement proper internal control measures to protect and safeguard UMG revenues…control activities have not been put in place and implemented, resulting in similar findings of missing funds or undeposited revenue collections and other internal control weaknesses.” Auditors identified a $25 overage in the
actual collection amount. The report noted that “overages and shortages are both considered red flags and indicative of occupational fraud schemes.” Additionally, collections were not stored securely but instead kept in the drawer of the UMG Accountant’s desk. Extending the scope of the inspection to cover seven months beginning in January 2024, auditors discovered a “notable amount” of $25,607.63 that had not been deposited into the UMG bank account as of August 31, 2024. Click here for continuation on page 4