Bilateral Relations » Japan's Economic Cooperation between Japan and the Republic of Nauru » Past Assistance Projects to Nauru » Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP)» Speech

The Project for Rehabilitation of Water Supply System for the Meneng Community

By H. E. Mr. Masashi Namekawa, Ambassador of Japan to the Republic of Nauru on the Occasion of the Signing and Exchange of Notes for the Non - Project Grant Aid and GGP to the Republic of Nauru

It has been my pleasure working with the Government of the Republic of Nauru in promoting socio-economic development in important sectors. Recently, Japan, through its Non Project Grant Aid and Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects Programs, has been actively involved with Nauru’s efforts to advance with planned economic structural adjustment programmes in key sectors and promoting development at grassroots level for growth and prosperity. I am indeed very thankful to everyone for your presence here to witness the signing and exchange of notes to formalise Japan’s Non Project Grant Aid as well as the signing and exchange of notes formalising Japan’s third project to Nauru funded under its GGP Program for the provision of a new water supply system for the community of Meneng district.

Given the financial constraints faced by the Government of Nauru and the likely positive impact of the planned structural reforms in key sectors on the economy in line with its National Development Strategy, the Government of the Republic of Nauru had made a formal request to the Government of Japan to provide assistance.

In acknowledging Nauru’s commitment and the difficulties encountered by the people and their Government, Japan decided to provide assistance through its Non Project Grant Aid. This assistance is primarily targeted to ensure that the Nauru Government will be able to fund imports of fossil fuels and other necessary products for advancement of economic and structural reforms without having much impact on the Government’s current budgetary allocation for development of important sectors such as education and health.

It is anticipated that, as a result of the funding, the Government of the Republic of Nauru will be relieved of the pressure to procure necessary imports and, hence, use the relief to enhance its effort in implementing economic and structural reforms. With the effective use of this grant, it is expected that the Government of the Republic of Nauru could find ways to better adjust its economy to the changing global economic circumstances.

Japan, through its GGP Program, has also decided to assist Meneng district in building a new water supply system. Water scarcity and lack of access to water are among the main obstacles faced by a lot of people and as we all know, water shortage in Nauru has been a serious concern for a long time.

I am confident that the new water supply system funded by the Government of Japan will revitalise the existing water supply to ensure a convenient and reliable water supply system for the whole community.

These assistance projects reinforce Japan’s goodwill and friendship to the Government and people of the Republic of Nauru and, while helping development in Nauru, these projects will contribute to strengthen the friendly ties between our two countries, Japan and Nauru.

I wish to sincerely thank those responsible for contributing towards and making this signing ceremony possible, in particular the officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, for their cooperation and assistance rendered to the Japanese Embassy. Japan recognises the value of such cooperation and is committed to working with the Government of the Republic of Nauru towards promoting the Republic’s economic development and the well being of its people.

Honourable Minister, I look forward to the successful completion of these projects, as it is my hope that, upon completion, the economy will prosper and the problem of water shortage will be a thing of the past for the people of Meneng district.

 Thank you.

Bilateral Relations » Japan's Economic Cooperation between Japan and the Republic of Nauru » Past Assistance Projects to Nauru » Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP)