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MVA returns task of maintaining road cleanliness to DPW
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Posted on Mar 22 2000
After taking over the job of the Department of Public Works in maintaining the cleanliness of the major roads on the island, the Marianas Visitors Authority is now giving back the responsibility to DPW.
With meager resources and limited manpower, MVA has been taking charge of the maintenance of the road shoulders aside from 60-hectare tourist sites in Saipan.
During a recent board meeting, MVA Board Chair Dave M. Sablan said he does not want the tourist agency to become a division of the public works department as they have assumed the job of DPW for a long time now.
While MVA will be relieved of such responsibility, it has not given all the task to DPW since the tourism agency has decided to take care of the area from San Roque to Marpi where tourists flock regularly.
A beach sweeper machine worth $100,000 has been acquired by MVA to facilitate the cleanliness of the beaches which fall under the responsibility of the tourism agency. MVA will turn over another equipment to cut grass to DPW.
A Memorandum of Understanding will be signed by MVA and DPW which will formally give the task back to the public works office effective April 17.
In a related development, MVA is also working on the Garapan Beautification Project where an outdoor cafe, a covered walkway and a place where local performers can provide entertainment can be established.
It is hoping to get a $3 million initial funding for the project from the funds earmarked for Capital Improvement Projects expected to be released this year.
MVA has supported the Garapan Street Market in a move to revive business in the once bustling tourist district, which has suffered as a result of the slowdown in the island’s tourism economy.
With the participation of the different hotel chefs, the CNMI will be promoted as a destination with high quality of food dubbed as Taste of the Marianas Year 2000.
