by Ken Quintanilla

Guam - The Department of Defense Inspector General report on the program and contract infrastructure technical requirements development for the Guam Realignment Program was also released inclusive of findings and recommendations for the island's port, roads, power production and transmission, drinking water, wastewater, solid waste and communications.

Port chairman Dan Tydingco tells KUAM News that the final report mirrored similar concerns on the conditions of the Port's waterfront as noted through a draft report last year and will thoroughly examine how to move forward with the modernization plan. "I think there is still universal agreement between the federal side and the local side that Port needs to be modernized regardless of what numbers of people are coming here for the modernization or the buildup here, there's still that sentiment that has been echoed or viewed that the port has to be modernized," he said.

The report found that the Port's cargo handling capacity must be upgraded to achieve the required throughput for the military realignment to Guam and recommended prioritizing correcting the deteriorated structural, utility and infrastructural facility deficiencies and upgrade said facilities to modern safe standard. He adds the Port and island leaders will have a formal meeting with MARAD, the DoD, IG, USDA and JGPO in Washington, DC on February 24.