Questions raised on safety issues at Imperial Pacific Resort by Saipan regulators

It still looks like some more wait for the Saipan casino operator Imperial Pacific International Holdings (IPI) to finally open its permanent gaming venue. On Tuesday the Commonwealth Casino Commission (CCC) deferred a decision for another week on IPI’s request to open and start the gaming operations at its unfinished permanent venue, the Imperial Pacific Resort this Friday. The CCC is not satisfied with the unfinished work and has several questions regarding the safety concerns at the resort property. Now the CCC would readdress this issue at its next scheduled meeting on May 31.

The CCC clarified that it is not granting permission to IPI as per their request to open the resort due to the lingering concerns and the unfinished work at the resort which can pose a safety threat to anyone who sets his foot on the premises. The CCC director Edward Deleon Guerrero shared with Marianas Variety that “there’s not enough evidence, not enough information to grant the approval to open on Friday.” He further added “even if the casino and gaming are ready for operation inside, we want to make sure that the workers, the patrons, the guests and anyone who enters the facility are safe.”

The CCC concerns are genuine and there are reasons like poor safety record at the resort’s construction site which includes debris fire and a worker falling to death in March this year. This incident led to FBI raiding the office of IPI’s main contractor and found 200 Chinese nationals working without proper visas. The CCC later revoked subcontractor Gold mantis provisional license which was subjected to protest by 92 Chinese workers who claimed they have not paid their wages for a week. But then Gold Mantis paid everyone their due wages and now asking the CCC to revoke their license.

However the CCC is still not sure whether to reinstate Gold Mantis license as there is some pressure involved too. Gold Mantis is responsible for finishing the unfinished portion of the Resort. IPI even issued a statement post its meeting with the CCC “the safety of guests and employees have always been the highest priority” for the company.