CUC receives $2M check for Garapan sewer line project

Gov. Ralph DLG Torres, fourth from the left, hands over a $2-millionn check to Commonwealth Utilities Corporation executive director Gary Camacho. (Kimberly B. Esmores)

The Commonwealth Utilities Corp. hag gotten the green light to replace the Garapan sewer line after it was given $2 million last Friday for the design and construction of the replacement project.

The CNMI Infrastructure and Recovery Program under the Office of the Governor, with the help of Gov. Ralph DLG Torres, gave the $2-million check to CUC executive director Gary Camacho so the Garapan sewer line replacement project can now start.

The funding, which is set to expire in April 2023, will be used for the design and construction of the project, which includes replacement of 1,240 feet of 8-inch and 6-inch gravity main; installation of new sewer manholes, service laterals, and temporary bypass system; and asphalt road restoration.

In a brief statement from IRP coordinator Marianne Concepcion-Teregeyo, she said this is the first of many projects the IRP will be issuing funds for and she is excited for the completion of such a big, important project.

“Handing over the check is one thing but the most exciting part is when it’s completed and we look forward to that,” she said.

According to IRP civil engineer Mariano Iglecias, this project was pushed to the top of the line of many future projects because it ties directly into the Office of Planning and Development’s Garapan Revitalization project, which is currently in the works.

“One of the reasons we pushed this project to the front of the line is simply because there were overlaps in the Garapan Revitalization project with OPD. It would have been a disaster had we not done this. We are happy to get this project moving before the OPD revitalization project so that we save the CNMI further costs down the road in terms of having to have OPD’s project move ahead, only for CUC to come back and rip up a newly paved road,” Iglecias explained.

Camacho, for his part, said he grateful to the Office of the Governor and IRP for the funding as this is a major project for the CNMI, given that Garapan is one of the island’s most popular tourist sites.

“This is a major part of our economic hub, this this particular area, and this will help and obviously prove the support for economic growth and development as we move forward. I want to also recognize the Garapan revitalization committee. They’ve been pushing that area for a couple of years now. Chris Concepcion is really at the forefront and we always want to recognize him and understand that this is one of his many projects down there also,” he said.

Torres reminds the CNMI community to be patient with CUC as it works toward the completion of a new sewer line in Garapan. “While this construction is ongoing, I ask your patience. Please allow the construction company and all its workers ample time and space to do their work. Let’s be nice and courteous to all the construction companies. Trust me, they want to get this project finished as soon as possible. We need our community to show their support as well,” Torres said.