Members of the 10th Olbetibel era Ngaraard during their Session on Tuesday night, November 12, at the State compound in Ngebuked County approved a $500 monetary assistance to a resident of a house that burned to the ground on the early morning of November 5th at Ulimang County of Ngaraard State.
According to the Assembly Speaker, the Honorable Wilbert Ngirakamerang, the unfortunate incident is a difficult moment for any owner who lost their house and the State Government, in particular the Assembly on behalf of the people, feels the burden of loss.
“The people of Ngaraard State, especially those who have lost their house, face difficult times,” said Speaker Ngirakamerang, “and we want to set precedence in support in whatever assistance we can offer instead of focusing support only to our off-island brethren.”
Representing the Assembly were Vice-Speaker Ms. Lucia Franz and At-Large Legislator Ms. Vickie Maui along with Ulimang Legislator John Temengil who all met with Ms. Adelina Blailes, the Senior Citizen who resided at the Esuroi House. “We wanted to come visit you as a whole group,” said Vice-Speaker Franz in presenting the monetary assistance to Ms. Blailes, “but timing of each member makes it difficult to come as a group and so the two women and Ulimang representative were sent on behalf of the people of Ngaraard and the Assembly.”
The Speaker also said that Palau is a small island, especially Ngaraard State, and as a small community most of us are related one way or the other. “Floor Leader Temengil requested that he be recused from such decision,” said Speaker Ngirakamerang, “however he was reminded that the action is not a family matter but an obligation to the people of Ngaraard we represent.”
This is the first house known to have been burned to the ground, according to information gathered. However there is a rumor of a house that was destroyed by fire many years back of which an owner of the resident was angry at a noisy cat and so tied a torch to its tail and set it on fire. Unfortunately instead of the cat scrambling into the forest, it bolted into the house and up into the recesses of the roof resulting in the destruction of the residence.
The Assembly of the 10th Olbetibel era Ngaraard wishes to take the lead in monetary support to any citizens of Ngaraard whose house is destroyed by fire and hopes that such action will continue and practiced by successors to the State Government in the future. (PR)