FLASHBACK – Mar. 27, 2012

Water desalination project pressed[/B]

A proposed water desalination plant on Saipan has drawn fresh attention from local officials as the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation seeks ways to undertake the costly project aimed at alleviating serious water shortages in some areas on the island. Saying it is the only solution to the perennial problem, House Speaker Benigno R. Fitial has pressed the government-owned utility corporation to revive the plan that has been held off twice due to high costs of building such a facility. “Let’s not fool around with preventive measures now because we have an epidemic water problem. Let’s go directly to a curative measure, and that is to install a system that will guarantee drinking water,” he told in an interview.

Following a sizable cut in its budget request for Fiscal Year 2000, the Northern Marianas College may be forced to put in place additional belt-tightening measures in order to stretch its $6.8 million budget approved by the House of Representatives. Acting NMC President Jack Sablan said, however, that the College could operate well within the boundaries of its budget allocation for FY2000 although some programs may be streamlined primarily because of the reduction. “Preliminary discussions with the people who handles the budget and finance matters at the College showed that we are okay with that ($6.8 million) budget,” Mr. Sablan said.

Fitial seeks more federal funds to build sports, cultural centers[/B]

Economic recovery will not solely depend on the entry of foreign investments but the relentless effort of the administration to bring in more tourists. To bolster the economic agenda of the Covenant Party, standard bearer and concurrent House Speaker Benigno R. Fitial recently asked the US government for funding assistance to immediately construct the proposed 6,000-seat capacity Saipan Sports Complex. Mr. Fitial said once the complex is completed, the Northern Marianas will be able to host international events and other sports activities which will generate additional revenues for the government.

Governor Pedro P. Tenorio yesterday approved the allocation of $10,000 for the renaming of the Saipan and Northern Islands Municipal Council Building in honor of the late Council Secretary Pedro T. Nakatsukasa. The governor’s approval came in the form of Saipan Local Law 12-10 which practically renames the structure as Pedro T. Nakatsukasa Building and earmarks $10,000 for the undertaking. In his transmittal letter, Mr. Tenorio explained that half of the total appropriation will cover the expenses of the dedication while the other half will be for the building renovation.

SNILD questions $430K deficit[/B]

The Saipan and Northern Islands Legislative Delegation approved four appropriation measures that would finance local construction and beautification projects, and provide additional funding for the operation and renovation of the Saipan and Northern Islands Municipal Council. Among those adopted were HLB 13-36 that re-appropriates $38,000 to renovate and operate the SNIMC and HLB 13-37, which earmarks $60,000 from Saipan Local Law 11-2 to supplement the municipal council’s budget.Commenting on HLB 13-37, the Department of Finance indicated that poker fees collected from SLL 11-2 was over appropriated by $430,000.

The Public School System has asked for a waiver on insurance coverage requirement set by the Federal Emergency Management Agency in connection with the release of reimbursement for typhoon-damaged schools. Education Commissioner Rita H. Inos, in a recent letter to Vicky Villagomez, the Governor’s authorized REpresentative said the PSS has no budget for purchase of insurance policy. “Schools on the island are not insured that it leaves us no choice but to ask for your assistance in securing a waiver from FEMA of this requirement. Due to limited resources and the economic situation of the CNMI, we are unable to secure adequate funding to operate and insure all of our schools,” Inos said.