Marpi landfill project faces another delay

The CNMI is not likely to witness the closure of Puerto Rico dump sooner due to lack of funding and functional budget that would pave the road for the completion of the new solid waste facility in Marpi.

Solid Waste Task Force Chair and Lt. Gov. Jesus R. Sablan disclosed the Marpi Landfill and the Transfer Station/Recycling Facility are running behind project schedule of about 12 months.

The CNMI government originally anticipated the new sanitary landfill to be in operation by June this year.

In a report submitted to House Committee on Health and Welfare Chair Rep. Malua Peter, Mr. Sablan discussed the developments of Puerto Rico Dump project and the recent submission of bids for the construction contract.

Ms. Peter asked the Task Force to provide her committee development reports and updates on the project hoping that concerns will be properly and immediately addressed.

Ms. Peter told the lieutenant governor that the Legislature would be willing to step in and provide assistance if certain problems continue to hinder the prompt completion of the new landfill.

The Department of Public Works’ Solid Waste Division is reviewing submitted bids to select the best proposal in compliance with the government’s procurement regulations.

According to Mr. Sablan, federal permitting issues are near completion and construction of the new landfill, as well as of the transfer stations, are expected to begin sooner.

In addition, the division has also undertaken interim measures to prepare for the closure of Puerto Rico Dump and two task force sub-groups have been formed to review issues related to future use of the Puerto Rico Dumpsite property.

According to the Division of Solid Waste Management Status Report, officials were compelled to revise original project schedule because of difficulties in obtaining the necessary resources and lack of functional budget.

Because of these, the task force anticipates further delays. “The biggest problem faced by the division is the lack of an operating budget,” the report said.

The report also noted that there was never a firm understanding of the fiscal and organizational requirements necessary to carry out the project within the original two-year time frame.

The division is understaffed to adequately manage the wide range of the project and to resolve issues like increases in tipping fees, supplementary funding for recycling efforts, public education and privatization of the landfill operations.

“CNMI will have a new solid waste facility completed within a year without the management system in place to properly operate it,” Mr. Sablan warned adding there is a need of a minimum staff of at least 30 persons to man the facilities.

The task force also recommended that CNMI limit operations to the transfer station and the scale houses at both the transfer station and landfill, and recycling center if the facilities will be operated by private contractors.

The task force chair further said DPW and the administration must recognize that proper operation of the Solid Waste Program requires sufficient resources, a formalized division organization, a decision on landfill privatization, and possibly the establishment of some form of semi-autonomous structure, to meet the current and upcoming needs of the solid waste program. (EGA)