Edwin Aldan
WITH several ongoing construction activities, Tinian has been contributing to the CNMI economy, according to the island’s mayor, Edwin P. Aldan.
In an interview, he provided some updates on the divert airfield construction activities as well as the restoration of runways on the island’s North Field.
He said the assessment of Tinian’s port for a pipeline improvement project is also ongoing. In addition, the U.S. Air Force’s Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron Engineer or RED HORSE team has already cleared some of the World War II airfields, including old access roads, for restoration.
Aldan said his office and the contractors of these construction activities will soon hold a job fair so local residents can apply for the jobs created by the U.S. military construction projects.
He said “based on what we have seen and based on the data collected, Tinian has contributed…to the NMI economy.”
The mayor said “we have collected more than 10 times the amount Tinian received from the central government.” He did not mention an exact amount.
“So when the question is raised, how Tinian is doing, I’ll say we are okay, economically,” Aldan said, adding that when it comes to government revenue, “we are one Commonwealth.”
The CNMI stands to receive a total of $79 million for divert airfield projects on Tinian under the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2024.
Aldan said the only challenge that the Tinian municipality is facing now is the lack of funds for its utilities. He said they will have to turn the lights off at many municipal government offices.
