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Tim: HK university interested in La Fiesta
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Posted on Jan 31 2006
Hong Kong University has expressed interest in utilizing the former La Fiesta shopping complex for a possible extension program on Saipan, acting Gov. Timothy P. Villagomez said yesterday.
According to Villagomez, the administration wants to revive La Fiesta as a commercially oriented establishment. But Hong Kong University is welcome to use the facility if it decides to pursue the project.
“We are open to any and all opportunities for La Fiesta. Clearly, La Fiesta is open and available if they’re planning to pursue that avenue,” Villagomez said yesterday.
The previous administration purchased La Fiesta for its failed Pacific Gateway Project, which aimed to establish the Northern Marianas as an educational hub in the region. The facility now serves as office space for the Commonwealth Utilities Corp.
CUC is currently under direct control of the administration, as a result of Gov. Benigno R. Fitial’s state of emergency declaration for the utility firm Friday.
In related news, Villagomez said that that a team of technical experts headed by the Philippines’ former National Power Corp. president Guido Delgado would be conducting a comprehensive analysis of the CUC situation.
“They will study how the government can save $24 million a year in subsidy to CUC,” Villagomez said.
The administration and the consultancy firm were still negotiating on the cost of the services when Villagomez was interviewed yesterday morning.
Delgado, chief executive officer of GAAD Inc., was appointed by former Philippine President Fidel Ramos to fix the country’s power problems in the 1990s, Fitial said Friday. “He managed to turn around the company from a $210 million deficit to $700 million in profit in two years,” Fitial noted.
