Speaker Arnold I. Palacios, R-Saipan, said Benavente’s appointment was pursuant to Public Law 15-42 or the Commonwealth Comprehensive Infrastructure Plan Act of 2006, which calls for collaborative efforts between different government agencies and the private sector to enhance infrastructure around the islands.
Palacios told Gov. Benigno R. Fitial that Benavente, who has some engineering background and the chairman of the House Committee on U.S. and Federal Affairs, should head the task force.
Fourteen government agencies and entities and the Saipan Chamber of Commerce shall have representatives in the task force that Benavente, R-Saipan, will chair.
Their main task is to plan and design for future “city-like” infrastructure for the CNMI, particularly on Saipan.
Tourism is the backbone of the CNMI economy and the government and private sectors are hoping to spruce up the islands’ infrastructure to attract more tourists.
“The infrastructure of the commonwealth continues to develop and grow but resources are scarce; therefore, the government and private sector must work cooperatively to ensure that our infrastructure can sustain our present and future needs,” Palacios said.
