By Gerardo R. Partido
Variety News Staff

BRIAN Bamba has declined his recent appointment by the Port Authority of Guam to be the port’s new general manager.
Bamba’s decision was announced by chairman Monte Mesa during yesterday’s PAG board meeting.
Bamba himself did not attend the meeting but port sources said the private sector executive may have had second thoughts about accepting the position due to the controversy over his appointment.
Bamba, who currently holds the position of commercial manager for Mobil Oil Guam, also happens to be the son of George Bamba, the governor’s chief of staff, and some eyebrows have been raised over the $90,000 annual salary offered to him.
In announcing Bamba’s decision, Mesa said it was “unfortunate” that the candidate decided to decline the position of port general manager.
Mesa said another solicitation for the position would be issued for two weeks with the port’s human resources putting out an announcement by Friday.
“We will entertain resumes and review them accordingly,” Mesa said.
In the meantime, Mesa said the port will be asking Gov. Felix P. Camacho to temporarily appoint an acting general manager for the port.
Also during yesterday’s meeting, the board voted to finally ratify the payment for the mobile crane purchased by the port from Singapore.
PAG purchased the mobile crane, which arrived on Guam last month, for $3.6 million and will be used as an interim replacement for Gantry Crane 1, which was decommissioned by the port last March.
The mobile crane has been undergoing testing by port maintenance workers and specialists from the crane’s manufacturer.
According to port officials, the crane has passed a checklist of tests and the manufacturer has concluded that the crane is operating “within its capacity and scope.”
One minor problem had to do with some “vibrations” recorded during the crane’s operation, but port officials said the purchase of the crane carries with it a two-year warranty that will cover any problems.