BUTARITARI, October 15, 2026 (BPA NEWS) — Naoero’s Minister for Port Authority and Shipping Line, Maverick Eoe, says he was impressed by the level of development on Butaritari Island, describing it as well-developed for an outer island.
“I never expected Butaritari Island to be this quite developed,” Eoe told BPA News during his first visit to the northern Kiribati island.
Eoe, whose great-grandfather was the late Reverend James Aingimea of Nonouti Island in the Southern Gilbert Islands, arrived on Tuesday to attend the ministerial deliberations of the 12th Central Pacific Shipping Commission (CPSC) Annual General Meeting hosted by Butaritari.
He was welcomed at the airport by Kiribati Transport Minister Alexander Teabo and the Butaritari Island Mayor, with a traditional dance performance and garlanding ceremony held in honour of him and his delegation.
Although it was his first visit to Butaritari, Eoe said his father, Ingo Eoe, was familiar with the island, having frequently visited it in the early 2000s while working as a pilot for Air Kiribati.
Eoe thanked the people of Butaritari for their warm welcome and hospitality during his one-night stay before departing for Tarawa on Wednesday.
Naoero was among four countries represented at the 12th CPSC AGM, which concluded on Wednesday.
Tuvalu was handed the CPSC chairmanship and will host the 13th CPSC AGM next year.
Mimi ana Minita Naoero n Rikiraken Butaritari
BUTARITARI, October 15, 2026 (BPA NEWS) — E a tia ana Minita Naoero ibukin Matabaiawa ao Kaibuke ae Maverick Eoe n taekinna bwa e rangi n anaaki nanona n norakin te rikirake iaon te abamwakoro ae Butaritari ao n aranna bwa buuki ma e rangi n rikirake.
“I aki onimakin Butaritari bwa e na rang n rikirake n arona aei,” e taku Eoe nakon BPA News ni moan rokona n aban te itera meang aio.
E roko Eoe, ae tibutoruna are e a tia ni motirawa ae Reverend James Aingimea ae kain Nonouti n te itera Maiaki, n te Kauabong ibukin irakin aia maroro minita n ana ka-12 ni Bwabwaro te Central Pacific Shipping Commission (CPSC) are e karaoaki i Butaritari.
E butimwaeaki n te marae iroun ana kauatabo mai Kiribati ao te Tia Tei mai Butaritari ae Alexander Teabo ao te Meeia mai Butaritari n ikotaki ma te mwaie ni katokabau are e karaoke ibukina ma kain ana tiim.
E ngae ngke ai tibwa ana moan tai aio n roko i Butaritari ma e taku bwa e aki iruwa tamana n te abamwakoro aio ngkai e aki toki n roroko iai ni moan te-2000-tabun ngke e bwairati n te Air Kiribati.
E karabwarabwa Eoe nakoia kain Butaritari ibukin aia butimwaai ao kakairua inanon tikuna ae tii teuana te tairiki imwain manga okiran Tarawa n te Katenibong.
Naoero bon teuana mai ibuakon aua aaba ake a roko aia taan tei n iira te ka-12 n CPSC AGM, are e kainaki n te Katenibong.
E a tia Tuvalu n anganaki te nakoa n tia babaire n te CPSC ao e na tewea ana ka-13 ni Bwabwaro te CPSC n te ririki ae e na roko.
