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Ogo backs CDA on funding availability for Rota dialysis
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Posted on Apr 20 2005
Rota Rep. Crispin Ogo said he believes the Commonwealth Development Authority’s claim that funds for hemodialysis project for Rota and Tinian remain intact.
“CDA knows if there’s fund remaining or not. I don’t believe that it’s not there,” said Ogo, who earlier authored a bill reprogramming some $1 million from the $1.5 million funding allotted for the Rota hemodialysis project.
Ogo said that based on his research and consultation with experts, the project would only require some $500,000.
The Senate, however, recently turned down his proposal, expressing concerns that sufficient funds must be available in view of any unforeseen expenses during the construction phase.
“When I came into office [in 2004], the fund balance was there. To say it’s not there now is unbelievable. But CDA said that it’s there so I believe CDA,” said Ogo.
Citing a preliminary report by the Office of the Public Auditor, Senate Vice President Diego M. Songao said that the CDA may have incorrectly certified the availability of funds for various infrastructure projects from the government’s bond interest proceeds.
Yesterday, Songao said that CDA would report back on the fund balance shortly.
CDA and OPA personnel met with Rota and Tinian lawmakers Monday to discuss the funding discrepancies.
Songao said that OPA has only audited the $60 million bond interests, but not the $140-million bond.
“Based on the $60-million audit report, the money appropriated for Rota and Tinian is not there,” said Songao.
“CDA still maintains, though, that the money is still there. But they need to confirm as to how much money they have on the $140-million bond. They are coming back to us to certify the balances of $140 million,” said the senator.
He said appropriations tapping the bond interests proceeds were authorized by Public Laws 12-64 and 12-60.
For his part, Ogo said that OPA and CDA “should come together to compare notes.”
