Saipan Tribune

Monday, May 20, 2013

Monday, September 17, 2012

FLASHBACK - Sept. 17, 2012

Sept. 17, 2001

Power plant project delay irks House panel

Fed up over the delay in the resolution of the Saipan power plant project, a House committee has summoned officials of both the Commonwealth Utilities Corp. and Enron Guam Piti Corp. to a meeting aimed at identifying and discussion the issues that are bogging down the resumption of negotiations between the two agencies. Chairman Rep. Rosiky F. Camacho of the House Committee on Public Utilities, Transportation and Communication said that he has called officials of both CUC and Enron to a committee meeting on September 25 at the House chamber where they intend to thresh out the reasons for the delay in the resumption of the power plant project.

Camacho seeks resolution to CDA-CUC case

The chair of the House Committee on Public Utilities, Transportation and Communication expressed disappointment over what it called as the “inaction” of the present administration in the dispute between the Commonwealth Utilities Corp. and the Commonwealth Development Authority. At the same time, Rep. Rosiky F. Camacho said that, instead of forgiving the CUC’s debt to the CDA, he would rather have the Legislature correct matters at the Commonwealth Utilities Corp. in terms of how it is being run. “You know, I am very disappointed with this administration for not taking action. You shouldn’t go to court. This administration shouldn’t do that.

Sept. 17, 2002

$500K for free and nobody’s biting

Who wants $7,500 for free? Apparently, no one in the Commonwealth wants that money because, since 1997, only one person has applied for a 504 grant-one of the instruments available under the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s loan and grant portfolio. The 504 grant-administered under the USDA’s Rural Development Program-is virtually giving money away at $7,500 per person and the only catch is that you must be 62 years old or older to avail of it and the money has to be used for home renovation. However, an analysis of fund usage for the Western Pacific area covering the period from 1997 to 2002 shows that only one individual on Saipan has applied for the grant, and that was still in 1999.

CPA closer to full compliance with FAA regs

The Commonwealth Ports Authority is inching its way closer to full compliance with the security regulations required by the Federal Aviation Administration, as it continues equipment improvement and upgrade work at the Saipan International Airport. CPA Executive Director Carlos H. Salas said additional surveillance cameras have been installed around the premises of the island’s air transport facility, especially within the terminal building to safely monitor incoming and outgoing passengers. Salas also appealed to the traveling public to bear with the CPA, the immigration department and the customs division, noting that screening of passengers will be stricter than ever.

Sept. 17, 2003

MOA for transport of specimens signed

Public health officials from throughout the Pacific recently signed a memorandum of understanding with Continental Micronesia and Diagnostic Laboratory Services for the continued transport of diagnostic and infectious specimens. The agreement aids medical practitioners in the Pacific region in diagnosing and confirming diseases, leading to continuous improvements in the level of healthcare in the region. The agreement, signed at the 36th bi-annual meeting of the Pacific Island Health Officers Association in Palau, is considered the largest accomplishment of the meeting.

Retrofitting of CHC lighting in 1st phase

Department of Public Works Energy Division Director Thelma B. Inos informed administration officials yesterday on the status of ongoing projects the agency is spearheading in efforts to conserve and find alternative sources of energy. Through leftover funds from the federal Institutional Conservation Program, Inos said the division has begun the first phase in the process to retrofit the lighting system of the Commonwealth Health Center, which she described as the largest utility consumer in the CNMI. “This stage is technical analysis support, where we will have recommendations on what is needed to be changed and where it’s at. In addition to that, we are going to do the cooling system. That would be in the third phase,” the director explained to attendees of the CNMI Energy Awareness Proclamation yesterday.