Atalig, a former Saipan and Northern Islands Council member, said he supports the development plan for the remote and unpopulated islands, but the undertaking “needs to generate more funds.”
He noted the great potential of pozzolan mining on Pagan.
“We should support the redevelopment plan,” he said, adding that homesteads for the Northern Islands should also be seriously considered.
But considering the present economy in the CNMI, the Northern Islands development plan should not be a priority, he added.
“There are other things that are more important and pressing needs of the people,” he said.
Atalig said the focus should be the legalization of casinos on Saipan.
He said if development planners would fail to open the Northern Islands to homesteads, people would not settle there.
Development planners led by Northern Islands Mayor Tobias Aldan are currently organizing for the upcoming 1st Northern Islands Development Summit.
The summit will discuss resettlement, land use planning, school and health provisions, establishment of port facilities, seismology, short- and long-term evacuation plans and alternative energy resources in the Northern Islands.
It will also discuss military training opportunities, mining, fishing, farming, scientific research facilities, Northern Islands Frontier Inc., the Marine Monument, long-term lease options and free trade zone public land designation.
