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‘Fitial’s OK on CUC hiring very timely’
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Posted on Aug 29 2008
House Vice Speaker Joseph P. Deleon Guerrero said Gov. Benigno R. Fitial’s approval of a bill to allow the Commonwealth Utilities Corp. to hire 19 alien workers is very timely as the Aggreko International’s power generators will soon arrive on Saipan.
In an interview with Saipan Tribune, Deleon Guerrero said CUC would now be able to bring in additional experienced and qualified foreign mechanics at the time when Aggreko generators would be coming in to provide temporary power supply.
Fitial signed House Bill 16-142 into Public Law 16-14 last Wednesday.
“In a way, the timing is good,” Deleon Guerrero said, pointing out that the additional workers would provide relief to the overworked mechanics and staff at the CUC’s power plant in Lower Base.
The vice speaker, who is the principal author of House Bill 16-142, said once Aggreko comes in, its engines would provide the “bridge” that would allow CUC turn off its power engines and conduct needed overhaul and rehabilitation.
The new law amended an existing statute to allow CUC to hire 19 alien workers until 2010 to address the severe manpower shortage at the power distribution division.
Press secretary Charles Reyes Jr. said Fitial realized how important the legislation is to CUC’s power plants in Lower Base.
“We need skilled foreign workers to help CUC repair and maintain the engines,” Reyes told Saipan Tribune shortly after the governor approved the legislation.
The Governor’s Strategic Economic Development Council had also adopted a resolution urging Fitial to exercise his powers to hire guest workers for CUC to ensure the consistent delivery of power, water, and wastewater services to island residents.
Power plants officials had informed CUC executive director Antonio Muña that the removal of the 20 alien workers in September 2007 dramatically impacted the overall operation of the power generation division.
Last week, the House unanimously approved Deleon Guerrero’s legislation. The Senate last Friday also unanimously passed the bill.
CUC immediately hired eight alien workers on Thursday. As a result, Muña said CUC was able to bring engine 6 in Power Plant 1 back on line.
