FEMA Updates on Recovery

Statement

FEMA Region IX Administrator Bob Fenton was unable to be at the virtual forum I called last week to go over the Government Accountability Office's preliminary findings on the federal response to typhoons Mangkhut and Yutu. So we got together by phone instead to discuss FEMA's recovery projects and, especially, vendor payments. Administrator Fenton reported $21,256,785 million has been reimbursed to various Commonwealth entities for debris removal and $27,752,119 million for emergency protective measures. All work has been completed and there is no local match required. So the government entities--the Department of Public Works, the Office of Saipan Mayor, the Commonwealth Ports Authority, among others--should be paying the companies that did the work. Mr. Fenton also updated me on the Permanent Housing Construction and Repair program. There were initial delays due to issues with the national contractor that FEMA engaged, as well as lack of materials and equipment on-islands. But a first group of new construction homes will be turned over to families in September. And FEMA is expecting to award additional contracts for the permanent housing next month.

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