It must be wreckovery!

It’s good to know that one newly confirmed member for CUC’s board with superb credentials on power generation is ready to move in. A critical assessment would be made of the agency, including the competence of its management team, among others.

Use of alternative energy would eventually be dealt with but it isn’t the single pill that heals all illnesses either. A fine-toothed comb is needed to realistically review the economics of renewable energy from A-Z. The new member is very familiar with these forms of energy and offers straightforward views on issues based on a set of facts, not masterful spins.

A realistic plan on power generation—a combination of fossil fuel and alternative energy—ought to assist the community Marianas-wide. This isn’t an easy undertaking in that for the first time we would be seeing a realistic and thoughtfully organized plan to deal with the current and future power generation needs of the CNMI. A plan is a must for we no longer can inch our way in the dark.

Indeed, we have become impatient, what with cuts in pension pay, new hikes in health premiums that adversely affect families, another increase in the price of basic goods and Alan Fletcher’s power bills. Is there anything else we may have missed in the cocktail of increases? Did someone say salaries have remained stagnant or the same for nearly a decade? Dalai `ste!

When our people are floored—viciously suffer from familial economic hardship, triggered by the unexpected increases in most basic familial needs—it’s difficult neutralizing the beast. It’s even harder quelling people’s explosive reactions, fuming over a parade of increases against their wallets.

Politicians have wasted four years toying with disorientation and indecisions over the cost of power and other equally significant issues. If there’s any group of people who have mastered the art of escaping or disappearing acts, you could easily seek free instructions from 31 folks on the hill. Exasperating! This mess too shall pass this November!

As politicians devolve into the usual mediocrity, the political barometer against them gallops quickly upwards. Moreover, conditions don’t offer any room to encourage a fresh batch of investments so the CNMI begins the long walk to economic recovery. It’s more in the realm of a word coined by an economist, “wreckovery.”

Policy instability

Before initial construction started, we begged major hotels to put up place their own power and water system. Millions of dollars were invested in this system that includes upgrades along the way.

We recently discovered that we now have surplus power supply run by generators that qualify for inclusion in the Marianas Museum. There’s complaint too that power users have cut down use, thus the surplus. Well, if it costs more than an arm and a leg doesn’t it make sense that consumers learn when not to use power? It deals with depleted family pocketbooks, right?

The midstream shift in boat (policy) is a fearful and devastating signal to investors of instability in the CNMI. Since when is Big Brother supposed to dictate and invade the conduct of business with private industries? Is the loss of base load the fault of private industries? Is it really hard understanding that hardship with the high cost of power rates has forced power ratepayers to institute full conservation measures at home?

The wild swing of policy instability only exacerbates the loss of the CNMI’S competitive and comparative edge as an investment venue. Tourism has just picked up and you really want to milk the industry from its recent resurgence? Can’t we give it time to stabilize? Isn’t it a fickle industry? Did you read what happened in Guam this week pertaining to the decline in visitor arrival from the Land of the Rising Sun? It depicts the fickleness of the industry.

Finally, for as long as the CNMI sooths its feathers to avoid addressing predatory policies now in the books, you can kiss off the return of lasting or anchor investments. It begins with fully thought out sound policies. None is after long-term land leases but nearly everyone is looking for a business-friendly and stable venue that offers appreciable return on investments. This is what I’d dub “Policy 101-A” all policymakers must learn forthwith.

As gubernatorial bets surface

The die is basically cast on who the gubernatorial prospects are for this election year. With the exception of the now Groggy Old Party wrestling with a likely divisive primary, most other bets are no longer on the fence but at the starting gate ready for the marathon.

As the boys hit the ground, I quiz what would be their narrative sufficient to persuade heavily disgruntled voters to rally behind their candidacy. What realistic solution do you have for the 25-percent cut in pensions, huge increase in health premiums flooring families and retirees, increase of consumer power bills, and impending increase in basic commodities?

It’s one difficult campaign trail to walk this year, especially if you’re an incumbent and must necessarily take the blows from the villages. If you’re a registered member of the “Do-Nothing” troops with nothing to hang your hat on, then you’ve basically sealed your own political doom. If you’re a newcomer, tighten your belt buckle for whatever is hurled against your fragile ego.

In sum, our people have pined for leadership, someone with a vision and spiritual commitment to turn our canoe of bankruptcy around before it sinks completely. Believe it or not, voters are fully informed and conversant what the substantive issues are and ready to rap with you before a final verdict is issued to wrap up your career with finality.