“CUC has made tremendous progress over the last several months. While there are challenges ahead, they don’t fit the category of an ‘emergency’ so I have decided to end the issuance of emergency orders,” said the governor.
The ending of emergency orders coincides with significant progress and collaboration between CUC and federal agencies, specifically the Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Justice.
CUC recently received notice of an award of $2.1 million from Assistant Interior Secretary for Insular Affairs Anthony Babauta.
“This is critically needed support,” Fitial said. “I thank EPA staff member Michelle Rogow for her utmost support in helping the CNMI get these funds.”
The pipeline is a longstanding need for CUC. Its completion should happen within the next year and is accompanied by work to prevent spillage into the general environment as well as to continue improvements in the areas of water and power production.
“CUC Executive Director Abe Utu Malae has a tough job to do, but he is doing an excellent job leading the CUC team. In recognition of this improvement, it is appropriate to celebrate the end of the CUC’s emergency status,” the governor said.
In an interview with Variety, Malae yesterday said they now face a challenge when hiring more personnel.
He said he was not expecting Fitial to lift the emergency status this month.
“I was expecting it next month. but this month is fine,” he added.
He said it is a good thing to end CUC’s emergency status and to come up with a permanent solution such as legislation that will allow the utilities to hire skilled nonresident workers such as power plant technicians or accountants.
