By Nazario Rodriguez Jr.
Horizon news staff

The Chiefs of Ngerdelolk Hamlet in Peleliu State are opposing a leasing agreement that was signed between a Korean company known as Interpacific Connections Inc. and traditional chiefs Obak Isao Singeo, Iderrech Mikiwo Gibson, Itpik Hinao Soalablai and Idesiar Santos Olikong.
According to a letter on Feb. 14 to the above mentioned chiefs signed by Iderrech Dick Ngotel, Smau Amalei Ngirngesang, Muchucheu Bostol Remeliik, Fanny Blunt Ngirngebang, Umedib Sammy Ocheraol and Klematuikl Jaek Ngirnesang, the Ngerdelok village chiefs are asking about a certain lease agreement that was supposedly signed leasing out the Island of Ngedebus to Interpacific Connections Inc.
Gov. Jackson Ngiraingas provided a copy of the letter yesterday afternoon.
The letter said that this would be a second lease agreement that has been signed in less than a year leasing Ngedebus Island to third parties.
"After you singed the first lease agreement in favor of Kuniwo Nakamura and Temmy Schmull, we asked yout to provide a copy of the lease agreement to us so we could review it," the letter noted.
The Ngerdelolk chiefs recalled that a first lease agreement was negotiated without their knowledge and that they have no idea how much money received from it.
The Ngerdelolk chiefs said they have asked to account for the money that the other chiefs have received, and to date, they said that the latter failed to account for the money received from the first lease agreement with Nakamura and Schmull.
"We and the people of Ngerdelolk Village that we represent do not agree with the first lease agreement you signed. You never brought the issue to our attention and the attention of the people of Ngerdelolk. You did not extend to us and the community what benefit will come from the lease agreement to the people of Ngerdelolk and Peleliu State," the letter noted.
The chiefs told Singeo, Gibson, Soalablai and Olikong that they have learned that a second lease agreement was signed in favor of the Korean firm.
The chiefs said "you never consulted us and people of Ngerdelolk and Peleliu State regarding the lease agreement."
They said that "perhaps the lease agreement is for our benefit, but we want to know about it."
"By this letter, we formally request that you call a meeting and explain to us the content of the new lease you have signed with Interpacific Connections Inc.," the Ngerdelolk chiefs wrote.
They said that at this time, they are opposing the lease agreement because they have no idea what is going on with "our Island of Ngedebus."
"You have to know that we believe that island of Ngedebus is not yout individual land that you can lease it out without our knowledge and consent and that of the community.
The Ngerdelolk Chiefs gave the other chiefs 10 days to explain about the lease agreement.
"You must understand that perhaps we may ratify the agreements that you have signed. But we need to know information about the entire project before we can give our support to any lease agreement and project of Ngedebus Island," the letter said