THE Commonwealth Ports Authority should tell Rota Terminal and Transfer Co. Inc. or RTT to “immediately cede to a third party” the stevedoring operation at Rota West Harbor seaport, Sen. Paul A. Manglona said.
CPA has asked RTT to purchase a crane, repair parts or similar equipment for stevedoring services by Feb. 12, 2023. Otherwise, CPA said it will provide RTT with a written notice of default.
In a letter, Manglona told CPA Executive Director Christopher Tenorio that “this never-ending problem with the lack of crane at Rota seaport has been around for many years and has caused significant distress to Rota people who have been shouldering the burden of paying too much for basic commodities and construction materials.”
He said CPC should direct RTT “to immediately cede to a third party, to be selected and designated by CPA, the authority to obtain a temporary or permanent crane and provide stevedoring and other commercial services at the Rota seaport.”
Manglona also asked CPA to demand that RTT obtain a temporary replacement crane from one or more providers to be selected by CPA.
Additionally, Manglona asked CPA to issue “a written directive requiring any other enterprises to acquire a properly calibrated and certified flat-scale to weigh palleted and breakbulk cargo loads of less than 10 tons, given my understanding that crane scale systems are highly if not wholly inaccurate in weighing cargo loads of less than 10 tons.”
Manglona said “many members of the Rota community have conveyed their perception that Rota Terminal and Transfer, unfortunately, has not been operating or performing in an equitable fashion over the years. Those who transport goods, equipment and everyday necessities echo that perception. The exorbitant cost of goods on Rota derives from this inequity, and has forced many from Rota to reluctantly depart. These people long to return home but opted to remain away until the living condition on Rota becomes reasonably affordable.”
Sen. Paul A. Manglona attends a joint Senate committee meeting with officials of the Marianas Visitor Authority on Jan. 18, 2023, in the Senate chamber.
