SAFETY issues at Imperial Pacific International’s unfinished casino-hotel in Garapan are not the Commonwealth Casino Commission’s responsibility so the Department of Public Works doesn’t need to ask CCC’s permission to inspect the construction site, the commission said.
Early last month, DPW Secretary Ray N. Yumul sought the casino commission’s authorization to inspect the facility and the tower cranes that could pose a danger to the public.
During a meeting on Wednesday, CCC Chairman Edward C. Deleon Guerrero and Vice Chairman Ralph S. Demapan said they have no authority over the safety of the construction site.
Due to the government’s Covid-19 restrictions, IPI ceased its hotel-casino operations in March 2020.
Demapan said he already met with the DPW secretary and explained to him the commission’s responsibilities.
Demapan said he also urged Yumul to consult with other government entities like the Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services in ensuring safety at the construction site.
Demapan reiterated that the commission has responsibility over some of IPI’s gaming devices including those that are being auctioned, because some of these items still have the Commonwealth’s seal on them.
The commission, he added, is working with the remaining security guards of IPI to ensure that the CNMI government’s interests in those gaming devices are protected.
For his part, Deleon Guerrero said the commission is also concerned about the gambling chips that are stored in the casino’s cages. He said these are negotiable chips, and not subject to the court-ordered receivership.
He said those chips are considered currency. When the casino reopens, the commission will require IPI to notify those who may have purchased the chips prior to the closure of the casino and were not able to redeem them.
There is a significant amount of chips in the casino, Deleon Guerrero said.
“So those are among our concerns, and not whether the building is safe or not. That is and has always been DPW’s jurisdiction. But we will help DPW should they need our assistance,” Deleon Guerrero added.
