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‘Seek federal aid to bring down utilities costs’
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Posted on Sep 12 2011
Tinian Mayor Ramon Dela Cruz said the federal government should help bring down the cost of utilities in the Commonwealth to help the islands’ economic situation.
“It’s very obvious that the CNMI government cannot handle the cost of utilities. It’s beyond our control. Everything is dictated by the price of fossil fuel that we import. I think that’s one area where the U.S. government can assist us,” Dela Cruz told Saipan Tribune at the commemoration ceremony for the 10th Anniversary of Sept. 11 at the Saipan Grand Hotel on Thursday.
Dela Cruz said the federal government can either subsidize the CNMI’s fuel needs or run a cost-efficient power generation to lessen the burden of the high cost of utilities among consumers, particularly business owners.
According to Dela Cruz, the high cost of utilities is a major factor in maintaining existing businesses and for entrepreneurs that want to start their companies here.
“You see people closing shop everyday because the utilities are just too expensive,” said the mayor.
Dela Cruz noted that for a small community like the CNMI has given “so much in defense of freedom” that the federal government should see the islands “in a better light” now more than ever.
“We’re defending freedom but our economy is in shambles and I think it’s important that as part of the American nation, something should be done to assist us in bringing our standard of living up a little bit,” added Dela Cruz.
