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Quitugua backs Plumeria project
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Posted on Dec 28 2005
Although uncertainty looms as to its implementation under a new administration, Northern Marianas Housing Corp. board member Tom Glenn Quitugua believes that the Plumeria Estate project is “a worthwhile project” to pursue.
“If we have a developer, then why not do it? The government has always said that there’s shortage of homes. So if there’s a developer, Plumeria is a worthwhile project to entertain,” said Quitugua, who is also chairman of the Commonwealth Development Authority. The agency is being considered as a funding source for the housing project.
The Marianas Public Lands Trust board earlier failed to gather enough votes to finance the initial phase of the project.
Expressing support for the funding request were MPLT board vice chair Herman R. Guerrero and board chair Juan S. Torres while trustees Edith Deleon Guerrero and Joseph San Nicolas voted otherwise.
The board earlier deferred action on the funding proposal, saying there were legal issues that needed to be resolved.
MPLT had also cited the changes in government priorities in view of the leadership takeover by Gov.-elect Benigno R. Fitial and Lt. Gov.-elect Timothy P. Villagomez by next month.
The Babauta administration, through the Housing Task Force, earlier requested the MPLT for a $5.8-million infrastructure funding for Plumeria Estate.
The Housing Task Force, chaired by Public Works Secretary John S. Reyes, had proposed to tap the 702 capital improvement funds for fiscal years 2007 and 2008 to pay off MPLT.
The Plumeria project involves the construction of new houses for first-time homeowners on approximately 13 hectares of land in Koblerville.
The requested funding of $5.8 million would be used for the utility and roadways infrastructure in the area.
The task force earlier said that two developers submitted proposals to do the project. The government, however, could not award a contract for lack of funding for the infrastructure project.
