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Panel to tackle NMC procurement rules
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Posted on Mar 01 1999
The House committee on Health, Education and Welfare is set to tackle the procurement regulations and finances of the Northern Marianas College at the resumption of its oversight hearing today, according to its chair Rep. Heinz Hofschneider.
He said the panel is also expected to delve into the problems of the college-owned bookstore in view of allegations of exorbitant prices on basic items such as pencils and textbooks offered to NMC students.
Today’s hearing, the seventh in a series of investigation into the CNMI’s lone higher learning institution and the government scholarship program that may last up to the end of this month, resumes at 9:30 a.m. at the House chamber.
The public is invited to present testimony to help the HEW committee come up with recommendations that may support future legislation and correct the current problems besetting NMC, according to the panel.
The state college, whose weak financial condition in the past few years has drawn the House scrutiny, has repeatedly denied charges of mismanagement as officials cited failure by the government to set aside funds as provided under the law.
But Hofschneider last week fired his most stinging attack so far against college officials over expenditures exceeding the spending level allotted by the legislature, claiming evidences that showed inconsistency in policies and reprogramming of funds without the board’s authority.
While NMC officials have taken a defensive stance against the panel’s accusations, the committee has been frustrated by constant “passing of the buck” on some actions or decisions being questioned during earlier hearings, according to a member.
He said they may be forced to put them to task if they continue the practice of feigning unawareness on some records that they have handed over the panel.
“This sounds like they don’t review their records,” said the member, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
