He said he has already discussed the plan with the Commonwealth Ports Authority.
“CPA…has been very supportive of our request to upgrade the current grassy air strip on Pagan Island to ensure a safe landing strip and compliance with [the Federal Aviation Administration],” he told Variety.
He did not mention the cost of the project nor its funding source.
According to Aldan, transportation plays a big role in the resettlement of the former Northern Islands residents.
Chartering a ship is more expensive than chartering a small airplane, he added.
There are other programs that his office is looking into, he said, but homestead and transportation are his priorities.
“In order for me to bring my people back to the Northern Islands, I would need a reliable means of transportation and in order to make my people stay there, I would need to give them land that they can own and make good use of,” he said.
“The Northern Islands residents must be assisted in getting out of the dark ages and to be able to enjoy the amenities of modern day living such as running water, electricity and other related facilities that are enjoyed by the residents of Saipan, Rota and Tinian,” he said.
Aldan said he will continue to work closely with the Legislature and Gov. Benigno R. Fitial to assist his office with funding.
The former residents evacuated the Northern Islands due to volcanic activities or typhoons and almost all of them now reside on Saipan.
In last year’s elections, 137 cast their ballots in the Northern Islands mayoral elections. Only four voters were actually residing in the Northern Islands
