By Moneth G. Deposa
Variety News Staff

THE former chairman of the board of Commonwealth Ports Authority, Jose R. Lifoifoi, has declined his nomination and re-appointment, saying he wants to focus on his “more challenging” job with United Micronesia Development Association Inc. (See story on page 7)
Gov. Benigno R. Fitial in August re-appointed former Speaker Lifoifoi, Connie O. Igisomar, Rex I. Palacios and Melchor A. Mendiola to the CPA board.
“I declined the re-appointment for two basic reasons,” Lifoifoi said. “I am getting old and I want to focus on my work with UMDA,” he told Variety in an interview yesterday.
Lifoifoi has been on the CPA board for four years.
“After my term expired, I was asked by the governor to accept the position on the CPA board. But I have decided not to accept the offer,” he said, adding that he has asked the Senate to remove his name from the list of nominees to be confirmed.
Lifoifoi was elected as the new chairman of UMDA’s board of directors on Wednesday.
“I want to concentrate on this field because we’re anticipating more challenges here and it will require a lot of time and concentration,” he said, adding that he’s hoping that the governor will understand and accept his reason.