The anonymous resident sent a letter addressed to Governor Benigno R. Fitial with copies sent to CUC Executive Director Antonio Muna and the local media.
“If you are really serious about collections for CUC, why don’t you and your office set a good example and start with government offices like the Rota Municipal Council which is most likely still in arrears or with their accumulating bill or maybe it was forgiven or swept under the table,” the resident wrote.
And added: “Instead of going after PSS, which is basically, our children’s future and that of the CNMI, first collect or shutoff those government offices that owe CUC. Make things fair. Do not allow CUC to get them out of their debts. Now is the time to put your money where your mouth is.”
At least six billings were attached to the letter that date back to 1998 and 2000.
Variety was unable to immediately reach the Rota Municipal Council for its comments.
CUC is threatening to cut off utility services for PSS unless it settles its $1.5 million arrears.
The Georgetown Consulting Group said in its report CUC has receivables in excess of $31 million.
Of the amount, more than $9 million are owed by different government agencies.
The governor already ordered CUC to collect from delinquent customers.
“The PUC report found that the CUC has historically had trouble collecting on accounts receivables, and I urge the CUC to make every effort to correct this deficiency and exercise strong financial discipline in pursuing all collectible past due accounts from the public and private sectors,” the governor said in a recent statement.
He said such aggressive collection efforts are absolutely necessary because the cash-strapped CNMI government, which has had to dramatically reduce its operating budget, is in no position to subsidize CUC operations.
CUC, for its part, said it will not be able to provide public utility services if the agency does not recover its costs from its customers, including the PSS or any agency of government.
