PALIKIR, Pohnpei (FSM Congress): August 5, 2003 –
President Joseph J. Urusemal has transmitted his second set of Cabinet nominations for
confirmation by the Thirteenth Congress of the Federated States of
Micronesia.
The Cabinet line-up has several new names for the top posts in the nations
government.
Nominated for Secretary of the Department of Finance and Administration is
Nick L. Andon – from Chuuk State, whose experiences range from the Trust
Territory era to the various sectors in Chuuk States Department of Finance
and his current position as the State Manager for the FSM Telecommunications
Corporations Chuuk Station.
Dr. Jefferson B. Benjamin – from Kosrae State, has been nominated for
Secretary of the Department of Health, Education and Social Affairs. Prior
to his nomination, Dr. Benjamin had since 2000, served the Department as the
Assistant Secretary for Health. His spectrum of experiences covers the
various Health sectors in the Department.
The nomination for Secretary of the Department of Economic Affairs is
Patrick Mackenzie, from Chuuk State. Since 1998, Mackenzie has served the
Department as the Deputy Secretary. His experiences began during the Trust
Territory era on through the Micronesian Transition to independence and
continued his services with the FSM national Government with experiences at
the Supreme Court, the Department of Finance and Administration to his
current post.
Sebastian L. Anefal, of Yap State, formerly the head of the Department of
Economic Affairs, has been nominated as Secretary of the Department of
Foreign Affairs. Anefals background is a cornucopia of experience in issues
of state, national, regional and international magnitude. His experiences
also covers the various sectors of the government, ranging from Education to
Resources and Development, Public Affairs and on to the State Finance
Department.
Lorin S. Robert of Chuuk State, the current Deputy Secretary of Foreign
Affairs, has been nominated to maintain the same post in the Department.
Robert has over 20-years of experience in the national government servicing
the diplomatic interest of the nation on the local, state, national,
regional and international platforms.
President Urusemals letter to Speaker Peter M. Christian emphasizes his
confidence in each of the nominations by stating, each of them will meet the
challenges of the offices to which he is appointed and discharges the same
with the expected efficiency, dignity and honor.
The nominations now await the next Special Session of the FSM Congress which
is being called to convene on August 25, 2003.
