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Ogo refuses to let go of project funds
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Posted on Apr 01 2005
Rota Rep. Crispin Ogo remains adamant in pushing for his sports facility project, refusing to agree with the Senate’s action that removes his project allotment.
In a March 29 letter to Sen. Diego M. Songao, chair of the Rota Legislative Delegation, Ogo said he will not relent to any compromise until the project’s fund totaling $300,000 is restored.
“As a member of a conference committee, I am informing you that I am taking a firm stance in providing funding for the Sinapalo Indoor Sports facility…and I will not compromise on any appropriation in this legislation until such funding is reinstated,” he said.
“Regardless of the outcome of this election, I am committed to this project as a legacy to the youth of Rota,” he added.
Ogo is seeking re-election under the Covenant Party.
The congressman earlier introduced House Bill 14-279 reprogramming nearly $1 million allotted for Rota hemodialysis project to other community projects, citing findings that the original project only requires some $500,000.
The hemodialysis center earlier received a $1.5-million appropriation.
When the bill reached the Senate, senators moved to amend it, lowering the reprogrammable amount to only $515,000.
Senators earlier said it is prudent to keep some money for the main project in case of fund shortage.
Ogo in his letter said, though, that the delegation was “well-informed by professionals that $500,000 is sufficient to construct and operate the Rota hemodialysis facility.”
He said the Senate’s action would mean loss of other community projects such as baseball field repair, shrimp hatchery infrastructure development, and Rota Liaison Office covered parking on Saipan.
The bill is now with a conference committee after the House voted to reject the Senate’s amendment.
