Fitial drums up support for shipyard legislation

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Immediately after providing testimony at the U.S. House side on U.S. Public Law 110-229 and House Resolution 1466, Gov. Benigno R. Fitial trekked to the Senate side to garner support from members of the Senate Armed Services Committee in an effort to take legislative action that would include the CNMI as an eligible site for the operation of a shipyard facility that would be able to service and repair U.S. flagship vessels.

Similar to the facility in Guam, a shipyard in the Northern Marianas would give ships operating in and around region a ship repair facility with full dry dock and overhaul capabilities in the Western Pacific.

While the CNMI has long been economically challenged by the lack of viable industries since the exodus of the garment manufacturing business, the Fitial administration has been eyeing bringing the large-scale shipyard industry to the Commonwealth.

“Not only would such a huge industry bring much needed economic stimulation to the CNMI, it would also create a myriad of much needed jobs for our residents,” said Fitial. “At this point, providing jobs to our people is my administration’s priority. The only way to achieve this goal is to lure big business types of investments.”

The governor, along with press secretary Angel Demapan and MITA group’s Jason Osborne, began his round of meetings at the office of Sen. Mark Begich (D-Alaska), and then headed down the hall to see Sen. John McCain (R-Arizona) and Sen. Jim Webb (D-Virginia) respectively. Herb Yamada from Delegate Kilili Sablan’s office was also present in the meeting at Begich’s office.

McCain, for his part, expressed his concerns for the people of the CNMI and his strong willingness to help resuscitate the depressed economy. As a start, McCain indicated his support to seeking congressional relief that would pave the way for a shipyard facility on Saipan. He further requested to be furnished with pertinent data relative to the economic decline in the CNMI as it would serve as a valuable reference in aiding and reinvigorating the Commonwealth’s economic woes.

Webb thanked Fitial for visiting his office and reiterated his historical ties to the CNMI, having been stationed on the islands while was serving in the U.S. Marine Corps. Webb indicated that his military legislative assistant, Gordon Peterson, will take the lead from his office in terms of the CNMI’s effort to be included in the shipyard authorization.

Fitial was very pleased with the warm response and show of support received from members of the Senate Armed Services Committee. The governor said he will continue to reach out to other members of Congress to ensure that adequate support is in place for this endeavor.

“I am confident that the members of the U.S. Congress will strongly consider our request and pave the way for economic relief for the thousands of Americans who call the CNMI home,” said Fitial.

Immediately after the meeting with Webb, Fitial had to leave Washington, D.C. en route to Salt Lake City, Utah for the annual meeting of the National Governors Association.