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BPL eases business fears on Managaha
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Posted on Dec 02 1998
The Board of Public Land will seek fresh proposals for the commercial development of Managaha Island to draw more participants in the multi-million tourism project despite a controversial law giving preference to local corporations, its chairman said yesterday.
“The board’s decision based on the new law is to have a new request for proposals, advertise it and give everybody else the chance,” said Tomas B. Aldan, chairman of the policy-making body, as he allayed fears that Public Law 11-48 would influence the selection of the next operator of the popular tourist destination.
The law, which was put in place following the Legislature’s override of Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio’s veto of a measure favoring NMI descent to run Managaha, has triggered an uproar from businessmen seeking concession rights who felt the legislation was unfair.
Under the law, localy-owned companies should be given preferential treatment in running Managaha, a protected area considered historical to the Northern Marianas, even if their proposals are only 20 percent within the highest bid.
However, Aldan said the measure provides no assurance that corporations run by NMI descent will bag the contract.
“It’s a nice law but it does not guarantee preference and it does not guarantee that a local will be awarded the contract for Managaha,” Aldan said, adding that the amount of bid and capability of the concessionaire to bring in tourists onto the island will be the main criteria for selection.
“The RFP will be open to anybody who is interested in running Managaha but we want to make sure that the commonwealth will get the maximum benefits,” he added.
Last August, six companies, including two local corporations, have submitted proposals to the board seeking rights to operate the tiny resort, the premier tourist destination west of Saipan whose pootential revenue could reach up to $25 million annually.
Among those competing for the lease contract are Pacific Development Inc., Saipan Marine Tours, Robert J. Emmett, Marianas Marine Management, Inc., Managaha Island Trust Corporation, and Tasi Tours, the current lease holder.
