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OIA official steps in to fast-track THS project
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Posted on Aug 01 2000
An Office of Insular Affairs official met yesterday with members of the Board of Education to discuss a possible compromise between the Public School System and Guerrero Brothers Inc., the project contractor for the long-delayed Tinian High School project.
The move has been initiated to put an end to the long-standing battle between PSS and GBI and finally expedite the OIA-funded undertaking.
The project has been under OIA probe since GBI stopped its construction in 1996. The construction company reportedly abandoned the project four years ago after PSS terminated its contract for failing to meet deadlines. GBI, according to reports, did not meet its targets because of lack of manpower and resources.
Federal Capital Improvement Projects Coordinator Keith Aughenbaugh, in an interview with reporters, said OIA is now closely looking into ironing out remaining conflicts between PSS and GBI in efforts to fast-track the construction.
“We are working out a compromise settlement between the parties to finally resolve the issue,” said Mr. Aughenbaugh.
Mr. Aughenbaugh also made clear that OIA’s intention is not to “investigate” but rather to “resolve” the problem in the most orderly manner possible.
GBI, now out of business, barely finished phase one of the three-phase $9.5 million high school campus, according to Mr. Aughenbaugh.
The school system has already expended roughly $4 million as of last construction work.
OIA has made available some $5.2 in fresh funds should PSS accept the responsibilities and resume the project with another contractor, Mr. Aughenbaugh added.
A Tinian Municipal Council representative Eric San Nicolas yesterday attended the BOE special meeting to air concerns and seek clarification with regards to the project’s updates. Rep. Norman Palacios also attended the meeting.
“When they started construction, I myself was still in high school. And up to now, it’s still the same,” said Mr. San Nicolas of the high school structures left incomplete. (MM)
