The amount has accumulated over the years, he said.
“I’m serious in pursuing this matter,” he told Variety.
Babauta, a former House speaker, said he may hire a law firm or a private collection company.
“This money is owed to the people of the commonwealth and DPL is in charge of overseeing the people’s property and public lands,” he said.
DPL’s compliance division is also vigorously pursuing the collection, he added.
The main reason for the nonpayment was “economic hardship,” Babauta said.
The delinquent leases include short-term and long-term occupants of public lands and facilities.
Some of these entities were already dissolved and no longer operate in the CNMI.
But Babauta said DPL will continue to collect payments.
Because of the economic crisis, Babauta said some leaseholders are asking DPL to reduce their monthly obligations.
Others have terminated their contract with DPL as a result of the closure of their businesses, he added.
“These people walked in with promissory notes and were requesting for a reduction in their lease payments but to some extent we try to live with the agreement,” he said.
DPL earlier suspended all new applications for beach front concessions.
