Previous Story
Seman objects to Ogo’s tobacco appropriation bill
|
Posted on Mar 11 2005
Saipan Rep. Benjamin Seman is opposing the passage of a bill that aims to use Tobacco Control Funds for non-health related projects on Rota and Tinian.
“We need to comply with the law. You can’t just use that fund for any projects,” said Seman.
Besides, he said, the Tobacco Control Funds were generated mainly on Saipan.
“The bill is taking away funds from the Tobacco Control Funds to give majority of that funding to Rota and Tinian, when that funding is primarily generated here on Saipan. Rota and Tinian are not contributing to that. There was a report that Rota and Tinian generated only $11,” said Seman.
Rota Rep. Crispin Ogo recently introduced House Bill 14-308, which proposes to tap $1.3 million in available Tobacco Control Funds for various projects, including $800,000 for Rota and Tinian, and $500,000 for Saipan.
For Rota, Ogo wants to use $400,000 for the construction of a Rota Junior High School basketball court, payment of back wages of Rota Municipal Council employees, construction of a skateboard facility at Sinapalo Children’s Park, Luta Amateur Federation program, Kantan Isla Concert, purchase of vehicles, and several others.
For Tinian, $400,000 would be used to purchase vehicles and for the construction of basketball courts.
The bill also wants to allocate $548, 112 for the medical referral program under the Department of Public Health, representing one Saipan project.
“Why would you use the Tobacco Control Fund to purchase vehicles? It can’t be done,” said Seman.
