Ayuyu, one of the island’s longtime businesspeople, expresses his opinions on a host of issues confronting the commonwealth.
A successful businessman over the years, Ayuyu sees running the government as running a business.
As much as the government has done the best it can to cut down on costs, he believes that it needs to ramp up revenue collection as well.
“The government has done a lot of work in cutting of work hours and consolidating work,” says Ayuyu.
He tells Variety that the government has had a lot of savings in this department; however, it needs to find balance in cutting costs and generating income on the other side.
For Ayuyu, “The government has to have a balanced approach—they need to do something on the income side to grow businesses, to grow the economy.”
He shares with the Variety the government is trying to invite investors from off-island; but, he also says the government should look into supporting the businesses that are here in their expansion efforts.
He says the government should see the urgency.
According to Ayuyu the businesses that are here that plan to expand need the government to act expeditiously on their applications.
He says no matter how small their businesses are, the government has to give the businesses an indication in the soonest possible time if their application to some permits are approved or disapproved.
He mentions some small businesses who had passed the review of the Zoning Board, had been referred to the Legislature where their applications have been sitting for over six months.
For Ayuyu, there’s revenue from these businesses that the government can rely on, if only they will also get acted on as promptly as the agencies should.
“These are projects that can continue to help the Northern Marianas to increase revenues,” he says.
At this point, he says, every little revenue should be explored and these businesses that are waiting for government action could be of help but are kept in the dark for months.
Delays cost these businesses too and these impact the economy as well.
He opines that the government must give these businesses a clear answer if their applications have been approved or not.
“I was talking to some colleagues who indicated their frustrations (over the bottleneck at the Legislature regarding their applications referred by the Zoning Board to the Legislature),” he says.
He says the businesspeople need an answer.
He says he understands that these businesses need to go through permitting and all the necessary paperwork; however, he also believes that these businesses have potential revenues that maybe realized once the government acts on their applications.
Just like in business, you have the expense side and the income side.
He says, “What the government is going through is basically what the business side is going through.”
For Ayuyu, just like in business, the government needs to be resolute in making decisions.
He suggests that the government must create an environment where local businesses are encouraged to grow, “find out what they need, and if they want to expand, let us help them.”
Erection of power poles in Marpi
On the controversial issue of power poles, Ayuyu declines to comment saying he’s not familiar with the issue.
But, he says, “My thinking is, it went through the permitting process. Before they dig the ground, they should go through the permitting process.”
On utilities
Like everyone else, Ayuyu is also trying his best to cut down on the costs of utilities.
He says he spends about $20,000 on utilities alone.
“The rates are very high. But what can we do? Most of the fuel that we need on this island is imported.”
He tells Variety that the key to holding down the rate is to double efforts in seeking alternative energy. “There are many things out there that they can do.”
He also says the government should look into the prospects for geothermal energy as well as other forms of alternative energy.
“They need to start doing something. The price of oil is going to continue to rise,” Ayuyu tells Variety.
He expresses dismay over the costs of utilities; however, he says he is working with the technology department of McDonald’s to see if something could be done with the windows to deflect the heat.
“I am trying to convince the technology department to come up with better glass windows that reflect or keep out heat from the restaurant,” he says.
He says ultimately, the consumers are the ones who are suffering.
On the plan to use alternative energy, somewhere down the line, he says, he will look into using alternative energy in the store.
“I do have solar water heaters in the restaurant. But that is just to supplement,” says Ayuyu.
In as much as he would like to use solar power, he tells Variety that he is still looking for the cost-efficient ones. “I haven’t found one that is reasonably priced. I am still on the hunt for that one. “
Meanwhile, he expresses his admiration for the executive director of CUC for doing a good job.
“I think Abe Malae is doing a good job. I am glad that he is working with the consultants and I think the commission is also doing a good job,” he says.
In the big picture, Ayuyu says, CUC is the dominant supplier of power and it should look at the different ways of supplying power.
“You never get to know the technology unless you tried it. Maybe you can try it in a small way,” says Ayuyu.
On NMC’s search for a president
Ayuyu says if the college has been encountering difficulty in looking for a college president, then why not bring back Agnes McPhetres to fill the void.
He suggests for NMC to consider bringing her back, even during the transition phase, as the college is still going through the process of finding a more permanent solution.
For Ayuyu, McPhetres has done a commendable job as president of the college for 18 years.
“Here you have someone who has proven her worth, who has proven that she can do the job,” he says.
In making this decision, he encourages the decision-makers to set aside differences and personalities.
On casino
Ayuyu says the government should listen to what the people want.
“If the community says ‘no’ then follow what the community decides,” he says.
If there’s clamor to have the casino on Saipan, then he says, find out what the sentiments of the people are.
People change, he says. But for him, the leaders should let the people decide.
Making a difference
Ayuyu through the years has been an active supporter of various causes in the community and he believes that each day is an opportunity to make a difference in the CNMI.
[Spice is the newest section of Marianas Variety devoted to people with interesting stories and events that matter. For comments and suggestions, email avz@mvariety.com.]
