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CDA chair: NMHC needs a full board
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Posted on Mar 27 2006
The lack of a full board at the Northern Marianas Housing Corp. would pose a problem if the agency becomes embroiled in issues relating to pending federally funded projects.
CDA chair and concurrent NMHC board member Tom Glenn A. Quitugua said the housing agency is currently implementing projects all over islands under the Community Block Development Grant.
NHMC receives some $1.3 million from this grant every other year.
“If there’s any change order with contractors, we could run into problems. We need a full board to sanction any action regarding our projects,” said Quitugua.
The CDA board, which also acts as the concurrent board for NMHC, has been left with only three members: Quitugua, Manny Sablan, and Antonio Borja.
“So we’re calling on the Fitial administration to appoint new members now so we could get down to work,” said Quitugua.
Four members left the board earlier but latest information from the Governor’s Office said that they would be reappointed. Members Marcy Tomokanie, Vincent Calvo, Pedro Itibus, and Edwin Hofschneider have tendered their courtesy resignation at the request of the governor.
Quitugua said there are three CBDG projects on Rota and two on Tinian that are pending right now.
For Rota, NMHC had approved $300,000 for the construction of the Sinapalo Community Center, which Quitugua said is nearly completed.
“It’s being built. Actually, we’re just waiting for utilities to be hooked up. After that, NMHC will turn it over to the municipality,” said Quitugua, who is from Rota.
He said a $300,000-grant was also awarded for the construction of a baseball field and an additional $250,000 for restroom facilities at a beach park.
He said Tinian also received CBDG funding for its public library and a community center with a swimming pool.
He said the government had tapped the entire CBDG funding for the Saipan revitalization project two years ago.
“CBDG is a great funding source for community projects. We’re not taking money from the general funds. It doesn’t require matching fund or payback. It’s more or less a gift. So we should really take care of it, make sure that we comply with the federal regulations,” said Quitugua.
