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Fitial looking to use federal CIP funds for college needs
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Posted on May 03 2008
Gov. Benigno R. Fitial said he is exploring a plan to use federal CIP funds so as to provide the needed operational funds for the Northern Marianas College.
In his State of Commonwealth Address on Friday at the Multi-Purpose Center, Fitial said, “We are determined to help the college maintain its certification. …I am exploring a plan to leverage federal CIP funds so as to provide the needed operational funds for the college.”
NMC has a new president, Dr. Carmen Fernandez, whose efforts Fitial said he fully supports. “We are determined to help the college maintain its full accreditation.”
Earlier last month, press secretary Charles Reyes said the Fitial administration is not likely to support House Bill 16-31 introduced by Rep David Apatang, which was aimed to reprogram some Capital Improvement Project funds for NMC.
The bill proposed to re-appropriate $750,000 from the Lake Susupe Boardwalk Trail project to NMC. The Apatang bill also proposes to withhold another $750,000 from the Kalabera Cave development project and transfer those funds to NMC.
According to Reyes, these two projects constitute absolutely vital destination enhancement projects that would help boost the tourism industry by providing additional attractions and activities for visiting tourists. Reyes says the administration firmly believes that the CNMI must improve as a tourist destination to create demand for travel and support increased flight capacity into the islands.
On Friday, Fitial said that, “During the past year, the college played a leading role in establishing the strategic workforce action team aimed at bringing together the agencies committed to providing more, and better, training for our young people ready to enter the workforce” and that he is looking into exploring a plan to pull federal CIP funds to help provide for the college’s operational needs.
Fitial also dedicated $380,000 to NMC to fund critical staff requirements and renovation and repairs.
