Reyes, R-Saipan, told acting Special Assistant for Management and Budget Esther S. Fleming not to wait for the disbursement of the federal stimulus money to fix the airport’s basic safety equipment like the fire sprinkler.
“[T]he modernization of [the airport] is long overdue. I was shocked to find that some of the most basic of safety equipment at the airport is either outdated or completely lacking. The fact that the building fire sprinkler system does not work requires [the Commonwealth Ports Authority’s] immediate attention and should not wait until the disbursement of [stimulus] funding,” the Senate president wrote to Fleming.
He said the islands’ main gateway should be at par with the 21st century aviation standards if it wants to compete fairly with other regional travel destinations.
The cash-strapped CNMI government will apply for a grant to modernize the airport.
Reyes expressed his support to the proposal that will also benefit the Rota West Harbor Rehabilitation project.
“I am in full support of the Saipan International Airport terminal modernization proposal and the Rota West Harbor Rehabilitation project as both projects will achieve the aims of the [stimulus law] and promote economic recovery in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands,” the senator told Fleming.
Modernizing Rota’s harbor will allow more ships to travel to the island and may eventually reduce the prices of imported goods there.
“General navigation improvements at the harbor and the construction of additional wharfage area will go a long way in reducing the costs of commodities on Rota and help in growing the island’s agricultural and tourism industries,” Reyes said.
The local tourism industry —the backbone of the islands’ economy — needs the airport modernization project to boost its image among tourists, he added.
“As tourism is the primary driving force behind our local economy, the modernization of Saipan’s only airport would seem to be congruent with the intent of [the stimulus law]. CPA has submitted a well planned and organized proposal for the project ,” Reyes said.
The projects will address the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s recommendations in relation to the commonwealth’s request to include China and Russia in the Guam-CNMI visa waiver program.
“These growing markets will continue to help boost our islands’ economy and any efforts to retain the visa-waiver program deserves our attention,” Reyes said.
If the CNMI’s stimulus grant application is approved, no local matching fund will be required.
Reyes said this is noteworthy as “our government revenues continue to dwindle and our local budget contracts.”
Saipan’s airport was built on 734 acres of public lands with only one paved runway and will mark its 33rd anniversary on July 25.
