The Northern Marianas' delegate to the US Congress says the CNMI lost out in increased federal funding to build roads because the local government didn't actually spend the highway funds it had to start with.
In January, Gregorio Kilili Sablan and his Republican colleague from American Samoa, Amata Aumua Coleman Radewagen asked for more road money for the territories
But earlier this month the US Department of Transportation said no, due to millions in unspent funds held by the local governments.
The CNMI has the slowest rate of spending among the US territories.
The department said the CNMI is sitting on US$5.8 million.
Guam had used all its funds while the US Virgin Islands had used all but approximately US$561,065 of its highway funds.
