Previous Story
Governor’s last working day spent working
|
Posted on Jan 06 2006
His last official act as governor was a ribbon cutting ceremony for the Grotto Rehabilitation Project in Marpi, an event which he said fittingly reflected his administration’s emphasis on environmental issues.
“This will be my last ribbon-cutting as governor. And I am quite pleased that this final act is one that protects the environment of our islands,” Babauta said of the event.
“These islands have been here for a million of years. We are all here for just a moment. In that brief time each of us has, we could ask for no more beautiful place to live than the Northern Mariana Islands. We have been entrusted with a unique and wonderful land. Let us always ensure we pass it to the next generation as healthy and beautiful as we found it,” he added.
In an interview Thursday, Babauta said he planned on serving out the term out up to the last day because “the people of the CNMI deserve no less.”
His successor, Gov.-elect Benigno R. Fitial, will be sworn in at the American Memorial Park, Monday afternoon.
“It has been a tremendous honor for me to have been allowed to serve the Commonwealth. I think it’s the biggest honor that can be bestowed on anyone. I really learned a lot. It has been a learning experience for me,” he said.
Babauta was elected to the Commonwealth’s highest office after winning a landslide victory in 2001. He will step down Monday after placing third in a historic four-way race in November 2005. (Agnes E. Donato)
