Sixto: Error cost CUC SNILD appropriation

Sen. Sixto K. Igisomar (R-Saipan) said the mistake committed by the Commonwealth Utilities Corp. on the report they submitted cost them financial assistance from the Saipan and Northern Islands Legislative Delegation. He asked CUC acting executive director Gary Camacho to resubmit the report.

Rep. Antonio Sablan (Ind-Saipan) chairs the SNILD Public Utilities, Transportation, and Communications committee with Igisomar heading the Senate side.

According to the first report that was submitted, CUC would need more than $321 million to complete its infrastructure projects and other improvements. However, there were discrepancies on the numbers that were given to Igisomar and in actuality CUC only needs $124.7 million.

Igisomar said he did not focus too much on the errors of the first report submitted by Camacho, but he just cautioned them to review documents before releasing them in order not to commit the same mistake in the future.

“I didn’t go that far to question [the error]. For me, I was not focusing on that matter and all I told them was to let them know they have to review documents in the future. The document that was given was needed by SNILD because what we’re trying to do is appropriate funds from the developers infrastructure tax,” Igisomar said.

He added that they were trying to appropriate $2 million to at least lessen the financial problems of CUC. “But we’re looking at $300 million. It is a lot more easier for the delegation to say that ‘let’s not deal with this for now.’”

“But a less than $130 million needed, might just entice the people reviewing it to look at what are CUC’s needs and to appropriate some funds out of the local delegation. In essence, the Legislators thought that the initial report of more than $300 million is too much and the amount on the revised document is better where we can look into,” said Igisomar.

Igisomar added that the only thing that they need is to have the correct amount but because of the mistakes he decided not to discuss the document to the entire delegation. Because of the error, to be fair, it prevented us from supporting them.”

“We have to put it aside until we receive the proper and correct documentation. It cost them, meaning they could have gained from the opportunity. That’s why I didn’t bring it out forcefully to the delegation.”