Tinian ILS project now suspended, not cancelled

A meeting with CIP administrator Vicky Villagomez and officials of the Commonwealth Ports Authority yesterday changed the minds of the Tinian lawmakers on the fate of the stalled instrument landing system project. It’s been decided that the project will now be merely suspended until additional funds are identified for its realization.

Sen. Joseph Mendiola, legislative delegation chairman, disclosed this to Saipan Tribune following the consultation yesterday.

The Tinian Legislative Delegation earlier decided to scrap the long-delayed project due to the China market’s exclusion from the visa waiver program and the lack of additional money for the project. The move was opposed by many parties, which described the decision as “inconsiderate.”

Mendiola disclosed that since the start, the project has always been short of funds, based on estimates from the CPA, which issued the scope and requirements of the work. The ILS was projected to cost only $4 million in 2006.

At that time, the Tinian delegation asked the Office of Insular Affairs for $7 million for its airport projects, including $4 million for the ILS. In 2007, OIA approved the reprogramming of $5.5 million from the island’s wastewater fund, with only $3.5 million for the ILS project.

“OIA approved only $5.5 million from that request, with $3.5 million to go to ILS. So since the beginning, we were short of funds for the ILS,” he said.

The shortfall grew to $2 million when current estimates boosted the project cost to $5.5 million.

“For this reason, we decided to just merely suspend the project until we find additional money for its completion,” Mendiola said.

The lawmaker earlier disclosed that they plan to ask the OIA’s approval to transfer the ILS money to some priority needs at the Tinian airport.

Yesterday, Mendiola said: “The fund intended for ILS will remain…we’re not going to transfer it to any other projects at the Tinian airport. What we’re looking at is to use the remaining balance from the $5.5 million approved [in 2007] for other airport projects.”

Mendiola said the architectural and engineering design of the ILS project would soon be completed.

“We’re still unfunded by $2 million for ILS. So our goal now is to go ahead and proceed with the other airport projects and suspend the ILS while we’re looking for additional money,” he said.

Mendiola disclosed that since the completion of the new terminal building on Tinian airport two years ago, the facility has never been used due to lack of necessary amenities such as air-conditioning units, a baggage conveyor system, and an electrical system.

“It was our goal to use that new terminal for departure…so that the existing terminal facility will be for arrival only. But since its completion in 2007, we never used it,” he said, adding that this was why “reprogramming” is needed for some airport funds to be used in these areas.

Mendiola disclosed that representatives from OIA will be on island to meet with the delegation next month.

Last week, the Tinian Casino Gaming Control Commission said it fully supports the “stand” of existing and future casino operators on island on the issue of ILS.

Tom Lieu, general manager of Tinian Dynasty Hotel & Casino, had also earlier emphasized that the company “has been and always been” supportive of the ILS project.