REPUBLIC OF NAURU
Government Information Office
MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Tuesday, 01 October 2019
New Minister pledges reviews into
RONPHOS and the Nauru Rehabilitation Corporation
Republic of Nauru Minister for RONPHOS and the Nauru
Rehabilitation Corporation (NRC) the Hon. Reagan Aliklik has
revealed his top priorities would be to conduct reviews into both
corporations.
Minister Aliklik said the aim of the reviews was to help ensure
the corporations played an important role in Nauru's future
prosperity.
In regards to RONPHOS, Minister Aliklik said he wanted to make
it profitable.
"Ensuring RONPHOS becomes profitable will help ensure the
prosperity of the entire nation," Minister Aliklik said.
"It will assist this Government's plans and dreams
to enhance the standard of living and quality of life of all
the people of Nauru."
Minister Aliklik revealed the Government had last week sent
samples of phosphate to Taiwan.
"The Taiwanese are no doubt interested in what we are doing
here, and last week we sent over 2kg samples of both primary and
secondary phosphate," he said.
"The mining of phosphate has certainly improved over recent
years - there have been many advances in how surveying and drilling
for example, are being conducted."
Minister Aliklik said he wanted the NRC to have a greater focus
on rehabilitation, "especially the higher ground of the
island."
"That's because we don't have enough space on the lower area on
the coastal side, which causes a lot of overcrowding.
"We need to work on the higher ground to be able to provide more
space, particularly because of the impact of climate change."
He also pointed out that the country remains highly vulnerable
to the impacts of global warming.
"More than 90 per cent of Nauruans live on the coastal fringe,
and all the country's critical infrastructure is on the coast -
including schools, the hospital, government buildings, police
headquarters, the airport and the majority of businesses."
Minister Aliklik said he wanted to meet with the boards of both
corporations early this month.
ENDS////
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Nauru Government Information Office,
Republic of NAURU
Ph: +(674) 557 3009 E: gio@mail.gov.nr / naurugovinfo@gmail.com / www.naurugov.nr (mpr)