‘Economy governors’

Newly installed Gov. Benigno R. Fitial vowed yesterday to be the governor who will revive the Commonwealth’s slumping economy and restore finance integrity in the government.

Fitial was sworn in as the 6th elected governor of the Northern Marianas during a private ceremony at the Multi-Purpose Center at midnight of Jan. 9, 2006, Commonwealth Day. A ceremonial oath-taking took place at the Marianas High School gymnasium at 2:30pm yesterday.

In his inaugural address, Fitial said he and Lt. Gov. Timothy P. Villagomez would be known as the “economy governors.”

“This administration’s top priority is the economy—the foundation for education, public safety, health and welfare, infrastructure development, and social programs,” Fitial told the overwhelming crowd that turned up for the inauguration rites.

“Tim and I will be ‘Economy Governors’ because we were elected on that basis and under this economic crisis. And because we cannot serve our constituents well if our economy continues to languish as it has for the past four years,” he added.

Fitial recognized at least three major foreign investors present at yesterday’s event.

According to the new governor, Japanese businessman Tokomoto is looking to invest in the CNMI. Tan Holdings Corp. board chair Tan Siu Lin is planning to further expand his family’s business in the Commonwealth. Filipino-owned San Miguel Corp., represented by its president Ramon Ang, will establish a brewery on Saipan.

On the tourism industry, Fitial said his administration would re-focus on the Japan travel market. His goal, he said, is have the CNMI receiving a million tourists a year over the next four years.

He also promised to:

* Rein in government excesses and insist on financial accountability;

* Focus on economics, rather than politics;

* Remove regulatory roadblocks impeding commerce;

* Address the problems at the NMI Retirement Fund and ensure that every government retiree is adequately protected;

* Ensure significant progress is made in delivering power and water services;

* Abolish the Commonwealth Utilities Corp.’s fuel surcharge;

* Pay the government’s debt to CUC;

* Make sure the CNMI retains control of immigration and nonresident workforce;

* Maximize local employment; and

* Appoint a competent and ethical attorney general.

“Although Tim and I are committed to making improvements, I know it is still hard for many of our residents to believe that things will actually get better under our administration.

“And we can understand why some people might be reluctant to believe in our administration. After all, public cynicism easily develops after so many past promises have been broken—after previous administrations have failed to deliver. But we ask you to support our administration and have faith,” the governor said.

The public inauguration ceremony started with the sawii/kulu, or the traditional blowing of the horn.

Bishop Tomas A. Camacho offered the invocation and Gus Kaipat led the singing of the national and CNMI anthems.

Fitial and Villagomez was sworn in by Chief Justice Miguel S. Demapan. Washington Representative Pedro A. Tenorio was sworn in by Associate Justice Alexandro Castro.

Deputy Interior Assistant Secretary David Cohen, head of the U.S. Office of Insular Affairs, represented the federal government. He read a message from U.S. Interior Secretary Gale Norton during the ceremony.

Other dignitaries present at the event were former CNMI Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio, Guam Gov. Felix Camacho, Guam Sen. Lou Leon Guerrero, former Guam Gov. Joseph Ada, former Guam Gov. Paul Calvo, Palau President Tommy Remengasau, Yap Gov. Robert Ruecho, Chuuk Lt. Gov. Johnson Elimo, and U.S. Army officials.