The Shell Marianas gas station on Middle Road in Gualo Rai.
DELTA Management Corporation has informed other companies on Saipan that effective Oct. 31, 2024, it will no longer operate the Shell gasoline stations in Gualo Rai, Puerto Rico, San Roque, Susupe and Dandan.
In an email interview Thursday, Delta Management President Jim Arenovski said, “After 27 years in the station business, I am going to focus on my training company, Island Training Solutions.”
As for the Shell gas stations, “someone will run them, IP&E is not closing the sites,” he added.
IP&E owns the Shell gas stations on Saipan, Guam and Palau.
In his letter to the other business owners on Saipan, Arenovski said: “We want to express our sincere gratitude for the support and service you have provided over the years. Your partnership has been greatly valued and has been a big part of our success over the last 26 years. Your team and I genuinely appreciated working with you.”
At this point, he said, Delta is “unsure of who will operate the sites beyond October 31, but I am sure IP&E will be reaching out to you, soon.”
In a separate letter to Senate President Edith Deleon Guerrero, Arenovski said IP&E has a continuity plan for the gas stations, and they will continue to run.
He said he has been assured that a majority if not all Shell employees will be offered the opportunity to continue working. The transition, he added, will be seamless for the public.
He said Delta Management Corporation “has proudly served the people and government of the CNMI through the best of times as well as typhoons and the pandemic.”
“Delta Management has prided itself on hiring local, U.S. citizens and developing a high level of customer service and professionalism among those who have worked with us and I will continue my efforts in the education, development and advancement of the people in the CNMI through our other company, Island Training Solutions,” Arenovski added.
Asked for comment, Finance Secretary Tracy B. Norita said she was assured by IP&E that there will be no “impact” on the services it provides to the CNMI government, which purchases fuel directly from IP&E.
IP&E assured Norita of the continuity of services to the government.
