Ayuyu: Military involvement could boost CNMI economy

Commonwealth Ports Authority chair Joe Ayuyu said yesterday that military involvement in the CNMI could boost the CNMI’s economy.

In line with this, the administration of Gov. Arnold I. Palacios met with U.S. Department of Defense leaders about a week ago to discuss a partnership that would be beneficial to both the CNMI and the military.

Ayuyu, who joined Palacios at this meeting, said one of the ideas brought up is the establishment of a “marine highway” that will establish a ferry service in the Marianas, thus linking the different islands.

“When we were in Washington, we were pushing for this concept of a ‘marine highway,’ which would allow us to have a ferry system between the islands. We’re trying to convince the federal government as well as DOD that it is so critical for their operation,” he said.

If that happens, Ayuyu believes it will help lower the cost of shipping items for the military between the islands.

“At the same time, it would benefit the local economy because our people would be able to take advantage of the ferry and encourage economic development,” he said.

This would also open up the possibility of shipping agricultural goods between all the islands in the Marianas, Ayuyu said.

“For example, when [exporting] agriculture products from Rota to Guam or to Saipan, a ferry would definitely lower the cost,” he added.

Ayuyu cited the experiences of both Guam and Hawaii when it comes to boosting the economy by involving the U.S. military.

“Even when tourism is down, the economy can continue to function and provide employment to their people. Out here, when tourism is down, we’re dead in the water. We have no back up. It makes a lot of sense for us to connect with the military,” he said.

At the same time, working with the U.S. military means the CNMI will be contributing to national defense, he said.

“Hopefully, in the next couple of years, things are going to start happening and we have a bright future,” he said.

Ayuyu shared that the CNMI administration and DOD leaders also discussed the possibility of improving the CNMI’s ports, which would include widening and deepening the Saipan channels, which has proven to be hard to maneuver.

“One of the things we wanted to do was talk to the decision makers of the Department of Defense to impress upon them that we want to work with them and to see what they can do to help us develop and expand our port here. This is not only for military use, but it would also encourage more cruises and shipping companies to come into the CNMI. The military has been very receptive to the idea and is working with us. This will take some time but we will continue to talk to the federal leaders about this,” he said.