“The damage the stations received along with the recent impact of the pandemic on the Saipan economy are [the] reasons for this decision,” he said in an email on Monday. “The activity happening at these sites are typical for site closures in accordance with government requirements.”
Ada said while the site closures may seem bleak, “we are confident that the Saipan economy will eventually recover.”
A heavy equipment is on standby at the former Shell service station on Airport Road in Dandan. Photo by Emmanuel T. Erediano
“That being said,” he added, “we are looking at other exciting improvements for our customers in the near future.”
The service stations that will be permanently closed are those on Airport Road in Dandan, Middle Road in Gualo Rai and Beach Road in Koblerville.
The Bureau of Environmental and Coastal Quality’s Storage Tanks, Site Assessment & Remediation or ST/AR is overseeing the cleanup at the sites.
