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Quitugua family shuts down portion of Sta. Lourdes Road
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Posted on Apr 25 2012
A family closed down a portion of Sta. Lourdes Road in As Teo yesterday after the CNMI government allegedly failed to pay its use for a public road after 27 years of promises.
“For 27 years, promises, promises. Politics, politics. I’m not getting paid until now,” said 79-year-old Luisa Quitugua. “This is not a homestead property.”
Enough of empty promises from the government, Quitugua came up with a decision to shut down a 65-yard gravel portion of the Sta. Lourdes Road at 11am yesterday.
Upon Quitugua’s decision, her son, Elbert Quitugua put three road bumps and soil to block the road in front of their residence. Motorists have been diverted to use a small entrance of Luisa Quitugua’s property.
Elbert said they already told the Legislature since January that they will close the road and divert the motorists passing the area.
Elbert said last February during a Senate and House joint session, they already informed the lawmakers of their plan to temporarily detour the road.
Elbert showed Saipan Tribune a copy of a final judgment issued by Superior Court associate judge David A. Wiseman on Aug. 1, 2005.
In that judgment, Wiseman ordered the CNMI government to pay Luisa Quitugua the remaining principal sum of $77,137 plus interest at 3 percent per annum and post judgment at 9 percent in compensation for the two lots consisting of 348 and 365 square meters.
Elbert said since no payment was given despite final judgment, in December 2009 they filed an application for order in aid of judgment to collect the compensation.
“She never get relief from the court after 15 consecutive hearings in two years,” he said.
Elbert said the judge told them to come back again next month because the government has no money.
“She’s tired being offered empty promises,” Elbert said, adding that it’s better they plant coconuts and bananas on the property.
