By Emmanuel T. Erediano
Variety News Staff

A STENCH said to be coming from the drainage system at the Paseo de Marianas in Garapan is driving tourist away, according to one of the restaurant owners in the area.
Kinpachi Restaurant and Paseo De Marianas Promoters general manager Misako Kamata said businesses in the area have been complaining about the foul odor for quite some time now.
She said tourists and residents who visit the Paseo have also complained about the sewer stench that “seems to be coming from all directions.”
Although people who work in the area seem to be used to it, the stench still poses serious problems for businesses, especially restaurants and bars, Kamata said.
She added that customers may lose their appetite and decide to eat somewhere else when they smell the disturbing odor from the sewer.
Kamata said she has already reported the matter to the proper authorities but nothing has been done about it yet.
She said Beautify CNMI! shares her concern and told her in a letter dated Dec. 23 that the group may either request the contractor to deploy a half-day cleaner in the area seven days a week, “or perhaps add a little money for the additional task.”
Beautify CNMI!’s junk goods committee also told her that the contractor hired to get rid of the problem will be given a stern warning to keep the site clean, or else the contract will be terminated.
Kamata said the Paseo de Marianas Promoters have already done all they can to enhance the area.
Now she said, the sewer stench is the only problem left and it’s creating a bad image for the area.
“We can clean this place ourselves. In fact we’re doing that already,” Kamata said, adding that they are willing to help whatever government agency will take action on the sewer stench problem.
“I hope (Beautify CNMI!) will include a solution to this problem in their program,” she said.