Fitial said he does not have to appoint anybody for the 902 talks provided by the Covenant because “we already have a delegate.”
In fact, he added, the CNMI no longer needs the 902 talks.
“We only needed the 902 when we did not have a delegate. What is the use of 902 when we now have a delegate?” he asked.
Section 902 of the Covenant, which made the islands part of America, allow the local and federal governments to hold discussions regarding issues that affect them. These are called the 902 talks. In the past, the CNMI panel was usually headed by the lt. governor while the U.S. representative was named by the president.
Vice Speaker Felicidad T. Ogumoro, Covenant-Saipan, and Rep. Froilan C. Tenorio, Covenant-Saipan, are urging Fitial to initiate 902 talks with the federal government in light of the pressing issues facing the commonwealth, including the full implementation of the federal immigration and labor system in the CNMI.
Ogumoro also wants the submerged lands issue and the designation of the CNMI’s northernmost islands as part of a national marine monument discussed during the 902 talks.
“All the things that the Legislature wants me to discuss in 902 — that’s Kilili’s work,” Fitial said.
He surmised that the two lawmakers making the request “probably don’t have faith and trust in Kilili.”
But, the governor added, he prefers to work with the congressman.
“His job in the Congress — that’s the 902 right there,” Fitial said adding that he will meet Sablan as soon as he visits Washington D.C.
“I’m going to give him a lot of work. I will work with Kilili whether he likes it or not,” Fitial said.
