FAA concerned about continuity at CPA

The Federal Aviation Administration has raised concerns over continuity at the Commonwealth Ports Authority, given the uncertain transition under the new administration, according to CPA chair Kimberlyn King-Hinds.

She told Saipan Tribune that she recently met with FAA representatives at a conference in Hawaii this past month and, in addition to critical matters within CPA, one of the concerns raised is CPA’s continuity, with the recent transition into a new administration.

To allay these concerns, King-Hinds said that until such time the new administration appoints replacements to the CPA board, she will remain the CPA chairwoman to ensure that CPA fulfills its commitments to its federal regulators.

King-Hinds’ term on the CPA board ends in October 2023. She hopes a replacement will be appointed before then so she can ensure continuity by turning over all she has on CPA.

“Until such time the governor appoints replacements, we have work to do. We’ve made certain commitments to our federal regulators with regards to audit and our compliance and that’s what we are focused on. That commitment requires weekly check-ins, and monthly reports. As chair, I’ve personally committed myself and I’m a part of these weekly check-ins and monthly compliance reports. It’s really about CPA’s ability to qualify for supplemental funding, which are not entitlements, funds that are not guaranteed annually, these are funding that we compete for. There are a lot of funding options right now that we are going after. You have that issue going,” she explained.

Kimberlyn King-Hinds

King-Hinds added that it is essential that CPA maintains quorum because there is also the ongoing issue regarding funding for the agency and work needs to be done and decisions need to be made.

“Another issue that no one is talking about is the fact that the CPA was in austerity even before the pandemic and that’s a reflection of the state of the economy. When you are only operating at 64 hours, that’s all you can afford to pay your employees, that’s pre-pandemic. That is an issue that needs to be addressed. At the end of this fiscal year, we would have exhausted all our federal funds from [the American Rescue Plan Act]. We’ve stretched that as far as we can. Now, what we’re working on is finding avenues to be able to get additional funds because if we don’t do that, the methodology rates we’ve adopted that focuses on cost-recovery is going to increase the cost of doing business with CPA. We’re not getting revenue from the central government and we’re not getting revenue from the arrivals,” she said.