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Funding delays NI summit
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Posted on Oct 12 2011
By Clarissa V. David
Reporter
Reporter
The first ever Northern Islands summit, which aims to explore the islands’ economic development opportunities and significance in the Commonwealth, has been pushed back to December.
Northern Islands Mayor’s Office program manager Jerome Aldan confirmed yesterday the rescheduling of the summit originally slated for September.
Aldan cited funding as the main reason for the delay of the summit that also intends to create general awareness and educate the public about the existence of the 10 islands that constitute the CNMI’s “northern frontier.”
The Northern Islands are composed of Farallon de Mendinilla, Anatahan, Sarigan, Guguan, Alamagan, Pagan, Agrihan, Asuncion, Maug, and Farallon de Pajaros.
Aldan said the summit committee has already confirmed participation of several local and federal agencies as well as private companies that might be able to do business in the Northern Islands once they’re repopulated and redeveloped.
“We’re wrapping up our planning efforts for the summit, which we hope would push through by December,” Aldan told Saipan Tribune.
Aldan said the committee, headed by Jess Wabol, would meet again this week and work on inviting other government offices such as the Public School System, the Commonwealth Health Center, and the Commonwealth Utilities Corp. to send representatives to the summit.
