Fejeran resigning as Inos’ special adviser for trade
Businessman Ben T. Fejeran told Saipan Tribune yesterday he is resigning as early as this week as Gov. Eloy S. Inos’ special adviser for trade and industrial development—an unpaid position he has held for four months.
He said he is resigning because he does not want to have any conflict of interest, perceived or otherwise, when he decides to become a part of a private development project in the future.
“I am going to submit my resignation letter as early as this week. I am not being paid for this position but my goal is to look for investors to help the government. I am going to resign because I do not want to have a conflict of interest in the future when I decide to get involved in a development project. I think it will be better to resign, to have a peace of mind,” Fejeran said.
Inos appointed Fejeran to the post on March 27, 2014.
Fejeran’s appointment has drawn question from some community members. One of them questioned his selection as special adviser for trade and industrial development when he, as a businessman, still owes the Department of Public Lands a big amount of money, over $1 million, involving his former business Solid Builders.
Fejeran, when asked about this, said there are just some people who get “jealous” or “envious when they see others trying to do something, getting up, and they try to pull him down.”
Press secretary Angel Demapan, meanwhile, said Fejeran “is not being compensated.”
“Because he has access to business associates in the region who are interested in exploring opportunities in the CNMI, Mr. Fejeran offered his assistance to the governor at no cost,” Demapan said.
As to Fejeran’s unpaid obligations to DPL, Demapan said the Inos administration was not a party to that lease agreement.
“Any negotiations, calculations or payments are dealt with directly by DPL and its client. The administration is aware though that the lease previously held by Solid Builders had already been terminated,” the press secretary added.
Another special adviser post that does not cost the government as well is that of Shigeyoshi Kato, special economic adviser for Japan, Demapan said.
