Flashback — July 2000-July 2004

Cleanup of US military dumpsites pushed[/B]

With the scheduled emergency removal of polychlorinated biphenyl contamination in Cemetery no. 2 next month, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers should begin planning for the cleanup of other military dumpsites in Tanapag, according to Rep. Dino M. Jones, chair of the House Committee on Natural Resources, Judiciary and Governmental Affairs. The abandoned military dumpsite in Upper Tanapag needs immediate attention because it is near a water tank in the village. Mr. Jones said more than 50 oil tanks which were used during the war were believed to have contaminated the water system in Tanapag. The legislator also wants a copy of the cleanup report conducted by the Army Corps in New Jersey using the same technology, the low indirect thermal desorption process.

Marianas Visitors Authority Board Chair Dave M. Sablan yesterday said he will push for the establishment of the tourism agency’s representative office in Hong Kong during a board meeting next month to prepare for the expected arrival of visitors from China. Despite the restrictions imposed by the Department of Labor and Immigration on the entry of visitors from mainland China, Mr. Sablan is still optimistic that the issue will be resolved soon. If setting up a representative office is not financially feasible, MVA may just hire a company that will carry out the promotional campaign of the CNMI in Hong Kong, he added.

Enron wants power plant contract done by August[/B]

Enron International Mariana Power, Inc. does not only maintain communication with the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation, it also wants the contract for the Saipan power plant project sealed soon. This was learned from Rep. Rosiky Camacho, who disclosed that the company expects a contract concluded before the end of August. Enron backed out from the 60-megawatt Saipan power plant project, soon after it won the bidding for the multi-million-dollar contract. Camacho, in a way, corroborates reports that Enron has been sending feelers to the CUC, indicating its intention to come back and reclaim award of the project contract from which it withdrew last April.

“The governor was very frank—the money is not there.” And with that, Sen. Edward U. Maratita of the Senate Fiscal Affairs Committee set the backdrop and the tone on which upcoming deliberations on the 2002 budget will play out. Next year’s spending package, amounting to $233.84 million, was the focus in yesterday’s meeting between Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio and the fiscal committees of both houses of Congress. Sen. Edward Maratita, chairman of the Senate Fiscal Affairs Committee, said that, together with Tenorio and Rep. Antonio M. Camacho, chairman of the House of Representatives’ Ways and Means Committee, they went over the 2002 budget and the available resources.

Prison appropriation bill becomes law[/B]

Gov. Juan N. Babauta yesterday signed into law a bill that appropriates some $3.9 million substantially to ensure the completion of the Saipan prison project this year. Telesource CNMI Inc., the contractor responsible for the new prison facility’s construction, said the project is nearing completion, adding that the Department of Public Works has been paying it on time in the past several months. Telesource president and chief executive officer K.J. Semikian said the project could be fully completed by Dec. 15. House Bill 14-131, which appropriates $3.9 million in CIP bond interest proceeds for the prison facility’s completion and other projects, is now Public Law 14-19.

Already faced with a severe shortage of personnel, the Department of Public Safety is expecting a tougher road ahead, according to DPS commissioner Edward C. Camacho. In an interview yesterday, Camacho said the manpower shortage is beginning to take its toll on the available personnel, with responsibilities being spread out among fewer people who are working in longer shifts. “It’s tough, and its going to get tougher,” he said. “We are starting to feel the work-related stress, [but] we are able to manage and continue to fulfill our public service, even with the limited resources.” Camacho said the search for answers to address the issue continues, with the meeting within the department slated for tomorrow. “We are going to meet and find ways to deal with the issue.”