In a news briefing yesterday, Gov. Benigno R. Fitial announced that Nikolao Pula, the director of the Office of Insular Affairs, is arriving here next Tuesday.
The governor vetoed on Monday House Bill 16-77 which would have privatized the government-owned power plants on Saipan.
He said he has a plan to stabilize the island’s power situation.
Press Secretary Charles Reyes Jr. said that plan will be the main subject of the governor’s meeting with Pula.
“The governor is working to secure [Interior’s] approval, support and assistance to carry out such a plan,” he said.
Pula is scheduled to meet with the governor and other local officials, including Commonwealth Utilities Corp. Executive Director Antonio Muna, business leaders, Adm. William French, the commander of the U.S. Naval Forces in the Marianas, Guam Gov. Felix Camacho.
Pula will also tour Saipan’s main power plant and inspect the containerized rented generators from Aggreko International Power Projects Ltd.
He will likewise visit Tinian and meet with the island’s officials.
Muna and some technical engineers will make a presentation to Pula about Aggreko’s role in providing more electricity to Saipan as well as CUC’s plan to revert to using heavy fuel oil instead of the more costly diesel fuel.
CUC spends more than $75 million a year for diesel fuel to run its power plants.
The talks with Pula will include available alternative energy on the islands and tapping an independent power producer to operate CUC’s power plants upon completion of their rehabilitation.
Speaker Arnold I. Palacios, R-Saipan, said the Legislature is poised to override the governor’s veto on H.B. 16-77.
He said the measure is necessary to ensure that the privatization undergoes a clean bidding process.
