House: Where is $10 million Kagman wastewater money?

House members decided to defer action on a bill that seeks to reprogram $1 million for road and drainage projects following findings that its source—the $10 million Kagman wastewater project—has no more funds.

During a session Thursday, lawmakers cited that a March 17 Department of Finance report showed that the project has a balance of only over $2 million.

This excludes a previously passed $3.3 million Agingan reprogramming bill that also tapped the same funding source.

Last year, the Legislature approved a bill reprogramming $5.8 million of the Kagman funds for the completion of the Saipan hemodialysis center. This should have left a balance of $4.2 million, instead of only $2 million.

“Where’s the funds? Clearly, if we pass this, there would be a deficit,” said House Speaker Benigno R. Fitial.

House Bill 14-313 aims to source $1 million from the wastewater project for the Laulau Bay Drive and Kagman Phases III and IV road paving and drainage projects.

Rep. David Apatang said the Finance Department should be questioned about the “missing” funds.

“If there’s no more money, somebody is stealing the money,” said Apatang.

Rep. Heinz S. Hofschneider pushed for the passage of the $1 million reprogramming bill, saying it is the way to know if funds are not available. “The only way to find out is to pass this bill,” he said.

Rep. Clyde Norita disagreed, saying passing the measure would be an irresponsible act.

“How can be vote on something when there’s no money for it? Why don’t we sit down first with the administration to ask them about the figures,” said Norita.

For his part, Fitial favored an earlier motion made by Rep. Jesus Attao, who asked that the House Ways and Means Committee and the Public Utilities, Transportation, and Communications Committee jointly investigate the matter.

The body then moved to defer action on the measure pending clarification from the administration.

Finance statistics show that the Kagman wastewater project has available balance of $2,066,900 as of last week, which is insufficient even for the previously passed $3.3 million reprogramming bill for the Agingan wastewater treatment facility.

Based on the Finance report, $3.2 million of the “missing funds” were used for survey cost, design with SSFM, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers work, and miscellaneous.