Koror State Public Land Authority in a letter to Senate President Hokkons Baules and Speaker Sabino Anastacio, demands that Olbiil Era Kelulau obtains a lease with KSPLA before making use of the OLD OEK Building in the future.
Senate President Baules in response to query from Island Times said that he was aware of the letter and that it has been referred to the President of the Republic, who is the right person to address the issue.
Speaker Anastacio reiterated Senator Baules comments adding that the government use of public lands falls under the jurisdiction of the President and Palau Public Land Authority. He added that such communication though should have included the leadership of Koror State.
The former Olbiil Era Kelulau was being used by Olbiil Era Kelulau as their satellite office in Koror after they relocated to Ngerulmud. Due to plans to use the building temporarily to house the Pacific Pavilion for Our Oceans Conference, OEK moved its satellite office temporarily to Ngarachamayong Cultural Center. They are expecting to return to the Old OEK Building in December as their lease at Chamayong Cultural Center expires at the end of this month.
In the letter to OEK, KSPLA stated that since the “Original Land Settlement Agreement terms have expired, the Melekeok Capital Complex has been built and the OEK has vacated the Old OEK building, as a result, the Old OEK Building has reverted back to the exclusive ownership and possession of KSPLA.”
Furthermore, it said that there were several tenants interested in leasing the building and should OEK want to use the building, it must obtain a lease agreement with KSPLA or “lose the opportunity for a lease of the building.”
The OLD OEK Building was extensively renovated for the use of Our Oceans Conference which has been postponed to 2021. Turnover of the facility to previous tenants is currently underway.
KSPLA demands OEK gets lease to use OLD OEK Building
