Previous Story
‘Prepare now for Marines’ $15B relocation to Guam’
|
Posted on Apr 11 2008
A lawmaker says preparations must begin soon so the CNMI can gain the full benefits from the transfer of 8,000 Marines from Okinawa to Guam.
Rep. Joseph C. Reyes, in a letter to Speaker Arnold I. Palacios, listed his ideas on how the Commonwealth can begin to prepare for the Guam military buildup.
Reyes said the massive construction expected to take place before the Marines’ relocation presents the CNMI an opportunity to use the untapped resources of pozzolan on Pagan.
Pozzolan can be used as an additive to produce blended cement.
“We should expedite the mining of pozzolan to satisfy the needs of the builders and bring the much needed revenues into the CNMI coffers.. We are looking at investments of over 15 billion dollars and chances are, more than half of this is for concrete,” he said.
Reyes also said the government should consider reviving the Tinian wastewater disposal project. Tinian is being eyed for military training purposes. By completing the sewer project, Reyes said, the government can show its willingness to host the military.
“The more we show the military our willingness to work with them, the more they will be willing to make commitments to work with us,” he said.
With effective marketing, the lawmaker said, Saipan’s visitor industry can benefit from the increased military presence on Guam.
While Tinian can host the troops, Saipan can entertain their dependents, Reyes said. He urged the Marianas Visitors Authority to put together vacation plans for the military and their families.
Further, Saipan can serve as a staging area for military units training on Tinian, according to Reyes.
“These are only a few suggestions on how the CNMI can take advantage of the $15 billion projected to move the Marianas to Guam,” Reyes said. “The point is we should start planning now so as not to miss out on the economic windfall that is already in our neighborhood.”
