ISLAND UPDATES: FEMA visits NMI, Guam Airport officials disappointed in DFS case ruling

A team from the Federal Emergency Management Agency visited the Mariana Islands, meeting with the leadership of the Northern Mariana Islands on Feb. 5 and Guam on Feb. 6.

In both locations critical infrastructure and projects progress was discussed.

In Saipan, Deanne Criswell, administrator for FEMA; “… commended the CNMI for its projects that aim to strengthen infrastructure resilience, such as the replacement of old power poles and the improvement of Beach Road,” according to the Office of the Governor.

In Guam, according to the Office of the Governor, discussions included Delegate James C. Moylan’s House Resolution 6478, which, if passed, would see FEMA assist the Government of Guam with “repairs to the hospital, electric grid and transmissions, communications, water and wastewater, cybersecurity, and other infrastructure during major disaster declarations at 100% federal cost share. “

Additionally, Gov. Lourdes A. Leon Guerrero expressed her “ongoing efforts to work with the Department of Defense to … harden critical infrastructure to build resiliency,” a release said.  

In other islands news, the A.B. Won Pat International Airport, Guam expressed its disappointment in the phase one decision of the Superior Court of Guam, saying it believes the decision “is contrary to the evidence presented and law. GIAA maintains that it properly denied all three of DFS’s protests filed over a decade ago and that the Lotte Concession Contract, as extended, is lawful,” according to a Feb. 8 statement by the airport.

Judge Arthur Barcinas found in a Feb. 6 order that the protests by DFS regarding the airport’s 2012 Request for Proposal were filed on time, meaning that the issue now proceeds to a phase two trial.

In additional news, the Northern Mariana Islands saw 23,840 arrivals in January, an increase over 12,436 a year ago. Visitor figures were 43% lower than January 2020, when arrivals were 55,686.

The Korea market retained its lead with 16,770 visitors. Direct flight service between Seoul and Saipan is by Jeju Air, T’way and Asiana Airlines.

Asiana Airlines has announced it will extend operation of its Incheon-Saipan route beyond March. In February, Jeju Air will operate 10 charter flights from Seoul to Saipan during the Lunar New Year period. “These charter flights will add 1,890 seats to The Marianas, a 10% increase compared to the regularly scheduled February seat supply,” MVA said in a Feb. 12 release. mbj