THE TRUTH of the matter is the Commonwealth Economic Development Authority or CEDA is accountable to OUR Government & the People like every other agency, including CEDA & PSS, as autonomous does not grant “unlimited un-accountability,” which is why there are House Committees assigned to these agencies. In fact, that is one thing that is wrong, especially with CEDA, as PSS is often in the news demonstrating their goals and activities in reaching their goals but TAYA (nothing) and not so much as a whisper from CEDA about any Economic Reforms. CEDA is SUPPOSED to be LEADING our Economic Activities & Reforms but instead CEDA is just a minor loan institution that can even be worse than the banks – I know from personal experience.
I was really shocked & disturbed that Mr. Manuel A. Sablan had the nerve & arrogance to imply that he shouldn’t be answering questions from our legislative leaders, when CEDA is a Government Agency, regardless of the “semi-autonomous status.” Just because he was a Covenant Negotiator, that doesn’t mean that him & CEDA are beyond reproach of accountability. The problem is CEDA has NEVER been held accountable which is why Mr. Sablan seems to think no one can hold them accountable for anything, even when they are doing a lousy job of leading on any type of Economic Reform. They offer loans but they are not focused on anything to address our Economic Development, just whatever people come in the door with wanting a loan. CEDA is Not searching for investors, and I don’t have to tell readers, that is NOT Economic planning nor leading on anything. FYI Mr. Sablan, the Legislature can call ANYONE who works for OUR Government to testify, especially when it comes to what amounts to an “oversight with CEDA,” as no one knows what CEDA has done and is doing, which is why you were called to the legislature. Sending us to CEDA’s website is called DEFLECTING, not answering questions. CEDA just does enough business to collect on their loans covering their salaries & costs. I don’t have a problem with the staff at CEDA, as some of them are awesome people because the problem is with the LEADERSHIP!!! FYI, there is an investor shortfall and CEDA is doing NOTHING!!!
I looked at the CEDA website as suggested by Mr. Sablan and it is laid out like an expert did it but the only thing being offered is loans and no technical assistance, so you are “on-your-own” with CEDA. I remember they were searching for an Economist when they changed their name to include “Economic” and it was the funniest thing I ever saw because I knew the name change was just “gaslighting CEDA,” as nothing had changed. WE the People don’t see CEDA weighing in on anything for our Economy, they figuratively act like church mice when it comes to leading economic reforms. I’ve offered more systemic solutions for the CNMI’s economy than CEDA’s nothing!
I even offered to work for CEDA as their Economist when they were searching for one so I could pay-off the loan I had with them that they BLEW by refusing to liquidate my loan when I had a heart attack and two years later when I was diagnosed with cancer. It was clear to me they WANTED me to fail, and they waited to go into foreclosure when even the new Trikes were rusted out some 5 years later. So, WHO is CEDA’s Economist now and WHAT Economic Plans are they offering for CEDA & the CNMI is the question that should have been posed to Mr. Sablan by the legislature. Readers can see what I mean about CEDA from this one question that PROVES CEDA needs to be held accountable. There is a real lack of Economic leadership at CEDA, as I had wanted to get CEDA to promote “Special AI Loans” with a very small interest rate to help relieve some of the need for CWs. If an AI can check you in at the airport, then it’s not a stretch to get AIs to check in people at the hotels and I’m sure there are even many other jobs or services that can be handled by AI. I also wanted CEDA to start the search offering assistance for “a small Theme Park to Investors like Six Flags & Disney” making us the premier & only Family destination in Micronesia. I had other ideas on how CEDA could lead our Economic Reforms, but I’ve just given away too much already for free. Please continue to hold CEDA Accountable and maybe they will do a better job knowing someone will be watching and holding them accountable. To-date, there are no real Economic Reforms in the CNMI. A very Special THANKS to the AG’s Office and Chief Solicitor J. Robert Glass Jr. for taking serious action on behalf of the People with IPI, as it’s clear IPI is in no position to generate revenues for themselves nor the CNMI — it’s OVER for IPI & the CC I pray so WE can start A-NEW!
One People, One Direction.
Ambrose M. Bennett is an Economist who minored in Sociology, a Political Scientist, a retired teacher & former CNMI Board of Education Member, a James Madison Fellow (U.S. Constitutional Scholar), a Fulbright-Hays & lifetime Humanities Scholar who resides in Kagman III in the U.S. Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
