Flashback: April 2000 – April 2005

April 5, 2000

$25,000 fine for illegal dumping of used motor oil
The Division of Environmental Quality yesterday warned anew the public against illegal dumping of used oil on the island after officials discovered 14 drums each containing 55 gallons of used motor oil at several remote locations around Saipan. DEQ Director Ike Cabrera said persons found responsible for the illegal dumping of used oil or any hazardous material may face a maximum fine of $25,000 a day for each day of the violation. Amid its campaign on proper disposal of used oil, the agency received a call alerting them about the presence of 14 drums of used motor oil that are already leaking in the vicinity of As Perdido and Kagman areas in February. The agency has expressed concern on the potential adverse effects of illegal dumping of used motor oil on the environment, specifically the possible contamination to groundwater and surface water. It may also result to the destruction of vegetation, loss of soil fertility, endanger human health and wildlife.

Begin selection of power project builder
Saying he was “pleased” with the signing of the bill reinstating the mothballed 80-megawatt power plant on Saipan, Senate Floor Leader Pete P. Reyes yesterday prodded the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation to begin work on selection of a contractor to build the project. He said it’s about time that CUC officials buckle down to work and address the need of the residents for efficient power supply.
CUC Board Chair Jesus T. Guerrero, in a statement, thanked Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio for signing the new law as he stressed that the policy-making body will still have the flexibility in handling procurement of the much delayed project. Due to be completed by this year under the initial schedule, the power plant has come under a storm of protests since 1998 when CUC chose Marubeni-Sithe as contractor of the biggest undertaking ever in the Commonwealth’s history.

April 5, 2001

Marpi landfill to break ground in June
After what seemed like an eternity, the Marpi sanitary landfill will finally begin construction in June and is envisioned to be operational a year later. Speaking before the Saipan Chamber of Commerce’s general membership meeting yesterday at Gilligan’s in Hyatt, Division of Solid Waste Director John Harder said his office is expected to narrow down the six prospective bidders for the project in a week’s time. The company selected will be offered an intent-to-award by DSW, according to Mr. Harder. The lowest submitted bid according to the DSW director, is $9 million. He said DSW is leaning towards awarding the contract to the $9-million bid but it is still looking at the firm’s credentials whether it can truly follow through on the project.

CNMI eyes upgrade of communication system
Key government agencies led by the Emergency Management Office are revving up plans to upgrade the Commonwealth’s outdated communication response system in efforts to maintain preparedness for emergency disasters, in the national or local scale. EMO Director Gregorio A. Deleon Guerrero said yesterday department heads are currently exploring for sources of funding to finance the systems upgrade that is envisioned to bob the length of response time, especially in crises situations. Government heads are set to conduct a systems analysis to determine the anticipated cost of the communications upgrade project.

April 5, 2005

Five new wells to be drilled in Kagman
The Commonwealth Utilities Corp. will be drilling five new wells in Kagman to boost water supply in the homesteads. The move to go ahead with the new well project was finalized during a meeting between CUC deputy executive director Bernard P. Villagomez, his staff and the Water Task Force led by program manager Don Smith at the task force office on Capitol Hill, Monday this week. The water task force and the U.S. Geological Survey have determined where to drill for the wells. The Kagman homesteads are receiving their water from 12 existing wells. Smith said the five new ones will increase water production by an estimated 40 percent.

Govt begins repatriation of displaced workers
A total of 151 displaced garment workers have left the island following the downsizing and closure of factories early this year. The repatriation costs, according to press secretary Peter A. Callaghan, were taken from the government’s deportation account as well as repatriation fund. Other workers were also repatriated directly by their employer. To date, 151 workers have been sent back to China. The first group of 17 people were repatriated on March 17, the second batch left on April 2 via chartered flights to Shanghai, and the latest flight for 44 people took place yesterday morning. There are over 1,000 estimated displaced garment workers on Saipan.