Delay in CIP projects

At Issue: Complaints about unnecessary delay in Capital Improvement Projects in the CNMI.

Our View: The Department of Public Works isn’t necessarily the culprit in the timely processing of projects.

For years, the review of proposed capital projects goes through the Technical Division of the Department of Public Works.

The very nature of the review process is handled by technical people, i.e., various specialties in engineering. The review process involves affected agencies.
Upon completion of this end of the review, the project is taken to the governor’s office for final disposition (no specific administration).

It is at this juncture where bureaucratic red-tapes kick in. DPW’s technical people–messengers at best–are not politically adept. Therefore, they are not equipped to do political jungle fighting to push for timely approval of new capital projects.

It’s all a matter of coordination between the technical division and one charged (in the governor’s office) to oversee timely review of proposed capital projects.
Thus, it is a waste of time turning on the heat on vulnerable scapegoats. It’s a simple case of coordination.

Furthermore, the technical division is usually caught in the cross fire of political neglect, especially when a new administration is slated to takeover the helm. The proposals they submit for final review and disposition are shelved for unusually long periods of time. Such is the unusual and detrimental nature of the fate of capital projects when caught in the squeeze of political transition. It need not be the case.

Then there’s the funding end of some programs–via locally generated revenues–which usually result in messy underfunding. This aspect also requires realistic joint review so we don’t perpetuate underfunding of vital community projects where the net result is band-aid solution. Of course, DPW must be able to articulate the need for additional funds, especially at a juncture in our developmental history when revenue generation has deteriorated to a dangerous low.

Be that as it may, it’s a case of the right hand knowing what the left hand is doing. It can be done if only we adopt constructive handling of this issue by strengthening coordination among agencies and the governor’s office. Let’s do it! Si Yuus Maase`!