The Department of Defense recently notified the Commonwealth Ports Authority and Tinian officials that the existing Tinian divert airfield lease agreement needs to be amended in order for the DOD to implement a certain project, but the short notice given has raised a concern among CPA and Tinian officials.
Commonwealth Ports Authority board members, as well as Tinian officials, did sign off on the amendments to the divert airfield lease during a special board meeting yesterday, but they also stressed that the short amount of time DOD gave was disappointing.
CPA chair Kimberlyn King-Hinds, who is from Tinian, was one of those who spoke out against DOD’s failure to provide ample time to engage the Tinian community about the lease amendments.
“When we’re talking about accountability and transparency, that requires public notices and giving the people meaningful opportunity to respond. The issue with the divert lease is not substantive. I think the concern is basically that there wasn’t proper notice that was given and there was not enough opportunity to engage the community and give them notice that this was happening. It’s our responsibility to the community, especially the community of Tinian, who is directly impacted, to inform them of these changes whether they are small or big. It’s our duty,” she said.
King-Hinds noted that yesterday was the deadline to sign off on the amendment to the lease agreement, but CPA and the Tinian municipality were only given notice about it late last week.
“CPA does recognize the urgency because if this document is not signed, it stands to significantly delay the project. We’re not interested in delaying DOD’s projects; that’s not the point. Obviously the people of Tinian support this activity, but the issue basically is I’m sure there was someone aware that an amendment was required to the lease and the fact that it was delivered at the last minute, and then we’re expected to act on it immediately, that’s highly problematic because this is not how things should be done,” she said.
View the full Saipan Tribune Article here:
https://www.saipantribune.com/news/front_page/tinian-divert-lease-amended/article_9e0504bf-a39f-5c00-9a3a-70163440ea80.html
