Federalization will result in the downfall of Rota’s economy, he told participants of the Pacific Mayors Conference yesterday at the Fiesta Resort & Spa.
He said Rota’s economy will now have to depend on the presence of the U.S. armed forces on Guam.
But it will also mean more Rota residents leaving their island, he added.
Under federalization, moreover, the island’s skilled nonresident workers will have to leave eventually, which is “tantamount to economic bankruptcy.”
He said federalization will also affect Rota’s most popular tourist attractions, including the Wedding Cake Mountain.
Because the U.S. has included Rota flora and fauna on the list of endangered species, some privately owned properly are not being developed by their owners, Inos said.
“They are prevented from improving their own real estate because of the presence of these endangered flora and fauna,” he said.
He also noted the high freight charges that are severely affecting the prices of basic commodities on Rota.
He said Rota needs the cooperation of other islands to help address the high costs of transportation services.
Inos at the same time urged participants not to isolate themselves in issues involving global warming and terrorism.
He said the islands should start implementing policies that will protect them from the problems caused by the industrialized nations in the Pacific region.
