In separate interviews yesterday, Senate President Paul A. Manglona and Speaker Eli D. Cabrera said the administration should work closely with the implementing agencies to make sure the projects are handled well and priorities are carefully set.
Cabrera, R-Saipan, said there should be a master plan for each CIP and agencies must set priorities.
He noted that several CIP’s have been delayed due to a lot of reasons. The longer the delay, he added, the higher the cost because the prices of materials and labor costs tend to increase.
Among the causes of delay were noncompliance with federal environmental regulations, changes in designs, the unstable condition of the environment at the site and protests filed by losing bidders.
For his part, Manglona, Ind.-Rota, said better management of the projects means more funding.
He could not say for sure if the looming federal budget cuts will also mean a cut in CIP’s because historically, he said, the commonwealth has been guaranteed a minimum of $9 million to a maximum of $13 million annually in federal CIP funding.
Under Section 702 of the Covenant, there is an incentive for moving projects expeditiously while following federal guidelines. The CNMI competes for these funds with other insular areas, Manglona said.
Failing to proceed with projects in a timely manner and failure to meet federal standards and requirements will result in reduced CIP funding, he added.
Manglona recalled writing Gov. Benigno R. Fitial a letter earlier this year, asking him to reevaluate how the CNMI manages CIP’s funded by Section 702 of the Covenant.
By not managing projects efficiently, Manglona reminded the governor that “we are foregoing almost $4 million” in annual CIP funds.
Cabrera recalled that in the past, the Legislature appropriated CIP money. Now, he said it is an executive function.
Cabrera acknowledged that if the Legislature is again allowed to appropriate CIP funds, there will be a lot of politically motivated pet projects.
