| Politics: 12,000 JOBS AVAILABLE FROM MARINES’ RELOCATION |
But islands slow to grab opportunity
Elenoa Baselala
The relocation of 8000 United States Marines from Okinawa, Japan, to Guam will provide a multi-billion dollar opportunity for skilled workers in the Pacific Islands.
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Guam base... Commander of the US Naval Forces Marianas, Rear Admiral Charles Leidig (right), gives Secretary of the Navy, Dr Donald Winter a tour of the Guam naval base. Photo: Shawn Eklund
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About 12,000 workers will be required as Guam begins the US$10.27 billion (Americans provide US$4.18 billion and Japanese government US$6.09 billion) construction phase to accommodate the US Marines.
While the actual relocation date has not been set, construction of facilities is expected to commence early 2010.
The first meeting or industry forum for those interested in the business and construction opportunities in Guam was held last October and another is planned for early February.
“We are still in the early planning stages at this point preparing the Environmental Impact/Overseas Environmental Impact Statements covering the relocation of US Marine Corps to Guam and completing the required analysis,” the US State Department told ISLANDS BUSINESS.
“Construction of facilities and related enhancement of infrastructure and logistics capabilities will likely to begin after the Record of Decision is signed in early 2010.”
The department is anticipating building operational facilities, family housing, barracks, infrastructure and facilities to support the marines and their families.
“Approximately, 12,000 skilled labourers will be required to support the relocation of marines from Okinawa to Guam.
“To the maximum extent feasible, we hope to tap into the local and regional labour pools including Pacific Islands countries. We are working with the US Department of Labour, Guam Department of Labour and other partners to ensure job-training is in place to prepare for this labour need.
“We are also exploring legislative options for increasing the number of visas issued to temporary skilled workers,” the department said.
The industry forum, organised by the Joint Guam Programme Office, provides an opportunity for interested individuals to obtain information on how they can participate in and support the business and construction activities.
There is a website—www.guamindustryforum.com—that contains all information regarding the relocation.
Guam has been chosen as the venue for relocation as it enhances the US military force’s flexibility, freedom of action, prompt global action, regional engagement and crisis response.
It also improves the US force’s position in the Pacific in order to maintain deterrence throughout the region.
But, the indigenous race—the Chamorros—are worried the move, while beneficial to their business community, could spell the end of their race.
Guam’s population is estimated to be around 155,000 of which about 64,000 are estimated to be indigenous people.
The relocation is expected to increase the population by 155,000.
However, the US State Department said they are sensitive to the concerns of the indigenous population and it has put in place a cultural liaison officer to assist in the dealing of their concerns.
“We also regularly participate in Guam Civilian Military Task Force meetings, where issues such as potential impacts on Guam culture are discussed,” it said.
There were also claims by the Chamorros that the military had left behind environmental contaminants such as PCBs, Agents Orange and Purple in illegal dumping sites around the island.
This is said to have caused cancer among the Chamorro population. The department replied saying the military services have been extremely pro-active in addressing environmental cleanup issues resulting from waste disposal practices.
“The Defense Environmental Restoration Programme and Army, Navy, and Air Force Installation Restoration Programmes address the cleanup and remediation of DOD-contaminated sites.
“All such activities are implemented with input from the local community. US military installations today have procedures in place to ensure proper disposal of hazardous wastes.
“The US National Environmental Policy Act requires an analysis of potential effects of the relocation of the Marine Corps to Guam on the environment. The social and economic impacts associated with the relocation efforts are being included in the environmental impact study currently being prepared,” it said.
Now that Guam will be an important base for the United States and is set to receive billions of dollars worth of economic activities, it is however unfortunate that Chamorros despite being American citizens do not have voting rights. That’s not all, their congressional representative does not vote as well but can only lobby.
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