For Immediate Release
Title: Army Corps of Engineer MOU Contract
On April 13th, 2022, Honorable Kitlang Kabua, Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and Her Excellency Roxanne Cabral, Ambassador of the United States to the Republic of the Marshall Islands, signed the first edition of the Army Corps of Engineering, pursuant to Section 224 of the Compact of Free Association between the Republic of the Marshall Islands and the United States of America.
The origins of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineering (USACE) can be traced back to 1775 when the American Congress reestablished the Corps of Engineers within the Army in 1802. At the same time, the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, was established, which was the country’s first and only engineering school for 20 years.
With the Army having the Nation’s most readily available engineering talent, successive Congresses and Administrations established a role for USACE as an organization to carry out both military construction and works “of a civil nature”.
The Agreement, having taken effect today, will activate the professional service of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to provide technical assistance to the Marshall Islands in the field of engineering work, design, and other professional services.
In her remarks, Honorable Minister Kitlang Kabua stated, “Section 224 of the Compact of Free Association allows the RMI to request, from time to time, technical assistance from the US federal agencies and institutions. And through this agreement, we are engaging the US Army Corps of Engineers to provide technical assistance with planning and engineering design, construction and management, and other professional services for both Compact funded and non-Compact projects. They are well respected for their quality service and essential to our infrastructure development.”
Her Excellency Ambassador Cabral added, “Today’s MOU with the Army Corps of Engineers will further strengthen our partnership by formalizing a relationship between the “The Pacific Ocean Engineers” to better meet the technical assistance needs of the RMI, ensuring that they get the best experts, advice, and know-how in infrastructure improvements and greenfield projects.”
In attendance to witness the signing ceremony were Acting President Jiba Kabua, Chief Secretary Kino Kabua, Colonel Thomas Pugsley, Major Julian Parsons, Army Corps of Engineers, Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade Anjanette Kattil, Secretary of Health Jack Niedenthal, and staff from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the US Embassy in Majuro.
