by Ken Quintanilla

Guam - The Legislative Transportation Committee wants an oversight of the Port Authority of Guam following concerns about hiring at the agency. Committee chair Senator Tom Ada has expressed issues with the recent hiring of a cargo checker who failed to obtain a Transportation Worker Identification Card, which is needed to access areas in the port yard.

Port board chair Dan Tydingco says he's ordered the general manager to conduct a review of personnel files to ensure there aren't any flaws in conducting background checks and clearances for personnel hired at the port. "We want to make sure everyone is hired appropriately under the terms of the merit system, we want to make sure everyone goes through the appropriate court and police clearances, and necessary background checks in order to perform the duties and responsibilities down at that port," he said.

Tydingco adds that the Department of Administration's Personnel Division has been requested to come in as an independent party to audit the files. He says if someone doesn't pass muster and should not have been hired in the first place, there will be zero tolerance in keeping them on board.

The Legislature meanwhile is scheduled to hold an oversight hearing next Wednesday at 6:30pm.