DPW taken to task for project delay

The Department of Public Works yesterday received a tongue-lashing from Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio for the delay of several existing infrastructure projects in fear this would imperil massive construction activities set to be implemented next year.

The governor met with public works officials to discuss complaints reaching his office from the public, legislators and some departments regarding the snail pace progress in construction projects largely due to slow processing of documents, inadequate technical experts and lack of coordination among government agencies.

A visibly upset Tenorio talked to some officials at the Administration Building to explain why he did not stay during the meeting.

Administration sources privy to the meeting said Tenorio walked out of the meeting out of frustration over the department’s handling of existing infrastructure projects.

“He’s so frustrated. The way the governor talked, it seems to him that after all these years of managing projects, there are still a lot of delays,” one source said, “He wants all the bottleneck cleared.”

According to sources, the governor has ordered public works officials to submit a detailed report on the status of every project being handled by the department so he can personally monitor the progress of these projects.

Tenorio specifically mentioned the delay in construction of a community center and a school in Kagman, projects which should have started in July or August.

The Tribune sought the comments of acting Public Works Secretary John B. Cepeda but he did not return the call.

Another source explained the local chief executive is worried that delays in existing projects would get in the way of massive construction activities the government is anticipating under the Covenant Section 702.

Some $50 million in federal funds would be made available to the financially-troubled Northern Marianas beginning January to start Capital Improvement Projects, and with the downturn in the tourism-led economy, the government expects the infrastructure projects to stir slumping business activities and open employment opportunities to local residents.

Michael S. Sablan, chairman of the Section 702/CIP Projects, declined to comment on what transpired during the meeting.

“The governor just wants to know what are the problems so we can address the delays. He wants to make sure that these projects take off,” Sablan said in a phone interview.