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Proposed bill wants CUC to shoulder streetlights’ power use, maintenance
Sen. Sixto Igisomar (R-Saipan) has introduced a bill seeking to mandate the Commonwealth Utilities Corp. to shoulder the maintenance and operations costs of streetlights along primary roads in the CNMI.
The maintenance of streetlights currently falls under the Department of Public Works.
In the proposed Senate Bill 19-30, Igisomar noted that part of the CUC’s mandate is to “supervise the construction, maintenance, operations, and regulation of electric, water, and sewerage services.”
Despite this provision, DPW still pays for the power usage of the CNMI’s main streetlights, the bill states.
S.B 19-30 also cited that the Student Driver Education Program reserves 15 percent of funds generated from learner’s permit fees for the upkeep and maintenance of streetlights, and the expenditure authority is still with the executive director of CUC.
According to Igisomar’s proposed bill, DPW’s funds are not sufficient to cover the cost of DPW’s operations, personnel, and the billing for the streetlights on primary roads.
The proposed bill is also seen to assist DPW in its ongoing dispute with CUC regarding the accuracy of the billing for 4,414 streetlights still owed by DPW.
Substantial costs
The maintenance of streetlights is substantial as far as power consumption is concerned.
Public Works Secretary James Ada earlier said he has allocated between $150,000 and $190,000 per month from the department’s proposed budget for the utilities payment of streetlights.
DPW also indicated that it’s proposed budget for streetlights for fiscal year 2016 is $1.7 million, prompting lawmakers to inquire if this budget can be used for other purposes, including solid waste management programs.
