SINCE its inception in May last year, the Infrastructure Recovery Program or IRP has received over 20 requests to assist stakeholder agencies in successfully executing federally funded infrastructure projects, and aid the CNMI in hardening its water and wastewater infrastructure for the health and safety of its people.
The program has spent its first few months finding its bearings, gathering members of its team who will dedicate themselves to ensuring the timely completion of these projects by bridging gaps and increasing capacity.
The Commonwealth Utilities Corp., the Department of Lands and Natural Resources, the Office of Planning & Development, the Department of Public Works, the Public Assistance Office, the Northern Marianas Technical Institute, the Department of Public Lands, the Commonwealth Healthcare Corp., the Northern Islands Mayor’s Office, the Tinian Mayor’s Office, the Division of Fish and Wildlife, the Substance Abuse, Addiction and Rehabilitation or SAAR Program, the CNMI Office of Homeland Security, and Northern Marianas College have all requested assistance.
The projects under the American Rescue Plan Act for which CUC has requested IRP assistance include the customized sewer line inspection and grouting truck acquisition; priority water and wastewater projects; oil-water separator for the Lower Base power plant; waterline extension and meter installation project; and Route 33 (Beach Road) improvement project.
According to the IRP 2021 Annual Report, the construction contract for the Garapan Fishing Base Revetment Project through DLNR that is also under ARPA is awaiting a notice to proceed to be signed by Secretary Anthony T. Benavente.
Other projects that need IRP assistance are for OPD, CUC, and OPD’s respective parts in phase one of the Garapan Revitalization Project; the Garapan business district sewer line replacement through CUC; phases three and four of the Route 30 improvement project through DPW; the Oleai Sports and Cultural Tourism Enhancement Project through OPD; the Oleai Sports Complex outfield fence and two light towers through the PAO; and the workforce training center through NMTI.
Designated projects include the Marpi public cemetery through DLNR, the Northern Islands rainwater catchment system through the Northern Islands Mayor’s Office, and various homestead projects through DPL.
Also included as a designated project is the As Gonno homestead water and wastewater project through DPL, of which CUC, DPL, and IRP are ready to proceed with construction.
The design and scope of work for this project is at 100%, but additional modifications to the design is required to complete sewer lateral connections to 22 lots.
The rehabilitation of the existing sewer lift station will include pump and discharge lines.
GHD Inc. will complete the modification of the existing and proposed ser lateral drawings.
There will be a sole source procurement of services for lead and additional architecture and engineering services.
Plans to expand the CHCC OR Ward, pharmacy, and dietary facilities, and to construct an MRI center offsite are also listed as designated projects.
IRP submitted a recommendation and justification for CHCC to retain the services of an engineering firm to perform architecture and engineering services, and project management.
IRP has also been assisting with the following technical assistance projects: the paving of Naftan Road through DPW; a transient dock and main dock through the Tinian Mayor’s Office; a fuel docking station through DFW, the design of a new building for the SAAR program, and right-of-way assistance through NMC.
Also included is a communications tower through the CNMI Office of Homeland Security, of which DPL drone footage has indicated that corrosion has accelerated, further underscoring the need for immediate repair.
According to IRP, funding has been identified for this project, but is likely to be insufficient.
IRP noted that these funding issues need to be resolved.
Created through Directive 2021-5 by Gov. Ralph DLG Torres, IRP aims to streamline, assist, expedite, communicate, and coordinate expeditious permitting processes for a more robust infrastructure in the CNMI.
For more information, visit IRP on the second floor of the Horiguchi Building in Garapan, email irp@irp.gov.mp, and/or call (670) 664-4475/6/7.
The Infrastructure Recovery Program team members with the coordinator of infrastructure and recovery, Marianne Concepcion-Teregeyo, seated second left.
