Teno invites Norton to visit NMI

Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio has invited newly-installed Interior Affairs Secretary Gale Norton to visit the Northern Marianas to get a first hand evaluation of local issues that need to be addressed.

In his recent visit to Washington DC, Mr. Tenorio paid Ms. Norton a courtesy call to brief her on the current status of the Commonwealth, as well as other concerns at hand.

The governor said various issues that affect the CNMI were briefly discussed during the meeting with Ms. Norton who reiterated DOI’s strong commitment in helping the Commonwealth achieve its economic and political goals.

“The meeting turned out positively and she made a note on several occasions as I briefed her on current status of the CNMI,” Mr. Tenorio told reporters in an interview yesterday.

The governor also disclosed that he has asked Ms. Norton to visit the CNMI which, he said, could allow the local government to be able to comprehensively discuss with OIA issues and problems faced by the Commonwealth.

Ms. Norton vowed to visit the Northern Marianas as soon as her schedule permits her to leave. She has also expressed intentions to visit some of the other American territories in the coming months, the governor said.

Mr. Tenorio left for Washington DC last Feb. 23 to attend the annual Winter Meeting of the National Governor’s Association. Through the meeting, the local chief executive hoped to gain more allies and support from other state leaders.

Earlier, the governor vowed to secure the support of the Office of Insular Affairs on various issues including the shipment of PCB contaminated soil to mainland US.

He also hoped to establish a more solid relationship with the OIA.

The governor took the first step to renew the relationship between the local government and the agency tasked to look after the needs of US insular areas.

Mr. Tenorio said the meeting is CNMI’s commitment to work closely with the OIA in resolving pending issues previously identified by a special task force. This include programs aimed at developing the Commonwealth’s economy.

Further, the governor vowed to seize the opportunity to secure funding assistance to finance local projects and to tackle long standing issues like the Compact-Impact payments to CNMI and the local government’s relationship with federal officials. (EGA)