Edward M. Deleon Guerrero, executive director, Commonwealth Ports Authority, said during the Saipan Chamber of Commerce monthly meeting at Fiesta Resort & Spa Saipan March 2 that the $25 million loan secured by Rota could be spent better in improving the west harbor.
As the Rota mayor is looking at developing the east harbor, the CPA executive director said, “$25 million won’t give them what they want.”
He told members of the Saipan Chamber of Commerce that developing the east harbor — which is not CPA property — requires dredging, permitting, and building the infrastructure.
Instead of the east harbor, Deleon Guerrero said he has been convincing the Rota Mayor Melchor Q. Mendiola and the island’s delegation that it is better to improve on the west harbor.
“When I looked at the master plan of Rota, the only thing that remains to be done on west harbor is the breakwater. Apparently, when they built the west harbor, there wasn’t enough money to build the breakwater,” he said.
He confirmed that it would only cost $16 million to build the breakwater.
The CPA executive director also expressed concern that although the $25 million loan was secured through the 702 funds, “payment of the loan will be derived from the revenues of the harbor.”
He said since it is still on the drawing board he’ll continue to work it out with Mayor Mendiola and the Rota delegation.
Meanwhile, CPA is upbeat about the $60 million ongoing projects and $59 million projects for 2011 newly authorized by the Federal Aviation Administration.
Deleon Guerrero reported that the shoulder of the runway at Rota International Airport was extended by 1,000 feet, increasing it to 7,000 feet that can now accommodate 747 planes.
He added that there’s also a new generator at the airport.
For 2011, CPA is looking at financing a project to build a fuel storage tank and a truck that will distribute fuel to the charter planes coming to Rota.
The perimeter fence of the airport is also a priority for the current fiscal year.
Deleon Guerrero also announced that the FAA authorized CPA to buy four new fire trucks for the CNMI: two for Saipan and one each for Rota and Tinian.
He said CPA is trying its best to meet its bond ratio requirement. Since CPA is not getting its operating expenses from the general fund, Deleon Guerrero said they operate the airports and seaports like business.
