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CPA emergency status hinges on confirmation of board appointees
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Posted on Aug 03 2008
Gov. Benigno R. Fitial has vowed to lift the state of emergency for the Commonwealth Ports Authority once the Senate confirms nominees to the CPA board of directors.
In a memorandum issued Friday, Fitial also announced that Lee Cabrera will continue to serve as the acting director of CPA until Aug. 30, 2008. Cabrera had tendered his resignation earlier, and was scheduled to step down on Thursday, July 31, 2008. The governor said the administration and Cabrera have agreed to extend his service until the end of the month “in the best interests of CPA.”
“Once the Senate has confirmed a full board for CPA, I expect to lift the state
of emergency for the Authority and allow a fully functioning board of directors
to appoint a permanent director for the Authority,” Fitial said.
Currently, the CPA board of directors has two members—Joe Lifoifoi, who was asked to rescind his earlier resignation, and former Tinian Sen. Manuel Villagomez, who was recently confirmed by the Senate.
Still waiting for the Senate’s confirmation are former senator Thomas Villagomez, Frank Camacho, Miriam Seman, and Barry Toves. Another appointee, former Rep. Absalon Waki Jr., has declined his appointment.
Under its bylaws, CPA requires at least four board members to constitute a quorum and to conduct business.
The lack of a functioning board is the main reason Fitial has extended the CPA emergency declaration for another 30 days. The state of emergency was declared originally to stave off a technical default on CPA’s airport revenue bond indenture.
