US balks fund request from Northern Islands

Despite utilization of Northern Islands for military operations, the local government disclosed that the United States military denied the requested assistance made by local officials for the holding of a geological hazard assessment of former military depot.

Northern Islands Mayor Joseph T. Ogumoro said the defense department junked the recent plea made by the local administration for assistance in utilizing Navy personnel for construction and renovation of port facilities.

In addition to this, the department also trashed out request for technical assistance grant from the US Department of the Interior to conduct hazard evaluation prior to resettlement and implementation of economic activities.

Mr. Ogumoro, in a letter to Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio and the Legislature, said these denials compelled the local government to seek the approval of the budget request for Fiscal Year 2002 in hopes to expedite the Northern Islands Development Plan.

Under the development proposal, there will be an expeditious resettlement of residents of Anatahan, Alamagan, Pagan, and Agrigan and the implementation of the economic development programs and activities to assure that the settlements are safe and sustainable.

The mayor chided Commonwealth leaders that financial assistance to Northern Islands had been limited in the past that infrastructure projects for member islands were left out.

“Many have forgotten that Northern Islanders have sacrificed more, the entire island of Farallon de Medinilla was leased to the U.S military per the Covenant agreement while the islands of Guguan, Asuncion, Muag, and Farallon de Pajaros were designated as wildlife sanctuaries for endangered species,” the mayor said.

Despite the assistance extended by the Northern Island to the U.S. military, federal grants remain limited and the islands received so little from the U.S government.

With the resettlement program in the offing and the implementation of the economic development activities, Mr. Ogumoro stressed that only the Commonwealth will be their last resort.

Based on the FY2002 consolidated budget request filed by the Northern Islands government, an estimated $4.8 million is needed to cover various machinery and expenditures for the fluid implementation of these programs.

The budget will cover wages and salaries of government workers which amounts to $1.017 million; infrastructure costs amounting to over $2.5 million and others expenditures with over $1.5 million.

The budget will be spread to Anatahan, Alamagan, Pagan, Agrigan, and other Northern Islands municipality.

Last year, the Northern Islands only received $621,650 budget under continuing resolution. The funds covered limited personnel costs, official representation, utilities, and no infrastructures and repairs were made.

Mr. Ogumoro’s office recently came up with an economic blueprint for the islands of Anatahan, Alamagan, Pagan and Agrigan expected to pave the road for the smooth resettlement of displaced Northern Islands residents.

The mayor earlier asked the Commonwealth Ports Authority’s technical and funding assistance in the construction of port facilities there.

Specifically, Mr. Ogumoro is asking CPA authorization to construct a new seaplane ramp and accompanying passenger and cargo terminals on Saipan for use as the docking or staging area for passenger and cargo ferries t and from the Northern Islands.

NIMO is also seeking CPA assistance in securing federal and local funds for the construction, renovation and improvement of the Pagan Airport runway to accommodate daily commuter flights as called for under the Northern Islands Development Plan.

The Development Plan includes a proposed legislation to authorize the government to borrow up to $15 million for the purpose of purchasing passenger and cargo vessels, and the construction of port facilities in the area.

Airport facilities in the Northern Marianas are under direct supervision by the Federal Aviation Administration, which sets the standards for new and ongoing projects that relate to air transport facilities. (EGA)