Fitial keeps Water Task Force

The Fitial administration has decided to continue the work of the CNMI Water Task Force, a pet project of its predecessor.

In a directive, Gov. Benigno R. Fitial said the task force had made a significant contribution to the improvement of the CNMI’s water infrastructure.

He named Lt. Gov. Timothy Villagomez to serve as Task Force chair, replacing former Lt. Gov. Diego T. Benavente.

Directive No. 252 noted that the task force was engaged in a project that could benefit the Commonwealth and was currently receiving federal grant funds not previously available to the CNMI for infrastructure development.

“The Office of the Governor and [the Commonwealth Utilities Corp.] have reviewed the status and remaining work to be accomplished by the Water Task Force and both wish to continue to support the task force,” the directive stated.

Issued on March 20, 2006, the governor’s order made revisions to the roles of the Governor’s Office and CUC (now the utility division of the Department of Public Works) and their commitments concerning staffing and funding.

The directive states that CUC would temporarily assign 10 personnel to assist the task force.

These staff members include acting CUC executive director Anthony C. Guerrero, who will act as WTF task force program facilitator; special assistant for CUC operations Patrick Leon Guerrero to act as liaison officer; and CUC legal counsel Kathryn Delafield to work with the task force and the Lt. Governor’s Office as an adviser on contract and public utility issues.

The three officials and any other CUC employees assigned to WTF will resume their responsibilities with the utility agency when the task force is disbanded.

Also pursuant to the directive, compensation to the assigned employees for fiscal year 2006 will be shared by the Governor’s Office and CUC. The utility will pay the employees’ salaries and existing benefits, while the Governor’s Office will cover any additional compensation including overtime pay.

In addition, the directive requires the task force to prioritize the training of assigned CUC operations staff in water system distribution, treatment, and related skills.

The Governor’s Office and CUC will agree on a budget for the task force on an annual basis. Any costs agreed to be eligible for federal and other grant funding will be shared equally by the two agencies.

The task force is also required to submit quarterly reports on its progress.
Fitial issued the directive in lieu of a memorandum of agreement, which had been used in the past to facilitate the mission of the task force.