GOVERNOR Ralph DLG Torres on Monday met with officials from the U.S. Department of Transportation, the Federal Transit Administration, the Federal Highway Administration, and the Federal Aviation Administration to discuss the CNMI’s transportation services’ needs and concerns.
They were joined by representatives and heads of the Commonwealth Office of Transit Authority, the Commonwealth Ports Authority, the Department of Public Works, the Department of Finance, the Marianas Visitors Authority, and the Governor’s Council of Economic Advisers.
According to Office of the Governor Strategic Communications Coordinator Brianna Hunter, discussions involved the importance of accessibility via air transport into and within the CNMI, inclusive of transportation’s impacts on local supply chains due to geographical distance and identified opportunities for growth, expansion, and efficiency for existing and potential local industries.
Additionally, in light of current fuel prices worldwide and in the Marianas, talks of the feasibility of electric transportation in the Commonwealth were discussed, including ferries and buses.
The governor thanked the federal transportation officials for taking the time to visit the CNMI to see for themselves possible areas of improvement and identify resources that may be beneficial as the Commonwealth actively works to revitalize its infrastructure and economy.
“I want to thank the USDOT Federal Transit Administration Region IX administrator, Mr. Ray Tellis, for coming to the CNMI and witnessing the ribbon cutting ceremony for COTA’s new administrative building and maintenance facility. These resources will help COTA continue to provide accessible, affordable, and quality assistance to those in our community who are in need of transportation,” Torres said.
“Ultimately, the sustainable expansion of transportation in the CNMI will benefit our community and improve the delivery of goods and services. I appreciate these key officials for their partnership in seeing the success of the CNMI’s transportation industry, and we look forward to future collaboration for the benefit of the CNMI and its people,” the governor said.
On Monday, Aug. 8, 2022, Gov. Ralph DLG Torres, along with representatives and heads of the Commonwealth Office of Transit Authority, the Commonwealth Ports Authority, the Department of Public Works, the Department of Finance, the Marianas Visitors Authority, and the Governor’s Council of Economic Advisers, met with top officials from the U.S. Department of Transportation, the Federal Transit Administration, the Federal Highway Administration, and the Federal Aviation Administration to discuss the CNMI’s needs and concerns with regard to transportation services.
