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To stir economic activities Gov’t. readies plan for more CIP projects
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Posted on Apr 30 1999
Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio said yesterday his government is set to submit next week an administration-sponsored legislation that would put into motion $12 million more in Capital Improvement Projects.
The proposal will contain infrastructure plans that were purged from the first batch of CIP projects signed into law early this month by the governor, as well as correct deficiencies he noted in the previous legislation.
Among the projects eyed for the second batch of CIP projects are the expansion of the West Tinian Airport and road improvement and construction of health centers on Rota.
Out of the 11 construction activities previously proposed by the Legislature, Tenorio approved only three in fear that the inclusion of pet projects by legislators would compromise the integrity of the seven-year master plan.
Combined costs of the three projects would reach $12.1 million, including funding for the construction of a new prison for Saipan. Other projects, which form part of the first batch of CIP projects, are the completion of the Marianas High School gym and the construction of a crime laboratory and immigration and youth detention facilities.
The governor, worried over the last minute insertion of CIP projects not listed in the priority list, vetoed last month construction plans for Rota and Tinian, which inclusion eliminated key infrastructure intended for Saipan.
But the CNMI leader explained yesterday the new proposal will include several projects that were not included in the priority list drafted by the task force in charge of putting together a master plan.
The Northern Marianas is hoping to stir economic activities on the island after the plunge in the tourism industry, a key provider of revenues to the Commonwealth.
Local officials said the massive construction activities, expected to take off this year, will pump in at least $300 million in fresh money into the slumping island economy. Cookie B. Micaller
