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Speaker: Villagomez’s CUC assessment impressive
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Posted on Apr 21 2006
House Speaker Oscar M. Babauta was impressed with Lt. Gov. Timothy Villagomez’s assessment of the state of the Commonwealth Utilities Corp. yesterday at the Multi-Purpose Center.
“I must agree with the Lieutenant Governor’s assessment because of the fact that he has been there, he has managed it. He has led the corporation several years ago in a positive manner,” Babauta told Saipan Tribune after the State of the Commonwealth Address and State of the Washington Office Report.
The speaker said he understands the frustration of the Fitial administration in trying to initiate basic repairs of the engines at power plants to uplift the utility corporation “both financially and mechanically.”
“So it is a welcome idea of having first to engage the potential investors as far as fuel supply is concerned. And hopefully that will bring down the cost of fuel that is normally purchased on a monthly basis,” he said.
Babauta also agreed with Villagomez’s stated long-term plan to privatize CUC.
“If that is the only situation that will bring this corporation out of its financial mess…of course,” he said.
But the speaker stressed the need to look at the details of such a privatization plan, “whether it is more beneficial to our people. So those are several questions that need to be addressed.”
Babauta said he welcomes the administration’s initial step, which is to recuperate those engines and bring them up to par. He said such repair is important so CUC can sell the power to big companies, hotels, and garment factories.
Babauta said the Legislature allowed Villagomez to report on the state of CUC so that the lieutenant governor could present the condition of the utility corporation himself.
