The Executive Director of the Commonwealth Casino Commission, Edward Deleon Guerrero, has revealed a number of health and safety concerns that Imperial Pacific International (IPI) must address before it can open its Imperial Pacific Resort in Saipan.
In a report in Marianas Variety on Thursday, Mr Guerrero said IPI was free to open its new casino as soon as certain conditions were met, stating he had met with the company on Wednesday, “and approved IPI’s request to start casino gaming operations at the Imperial Pacific Resort and Hotel when the commission’s requested information and listed tasks, dated 26 May 2017, are submitted and/or performed by IPI and upon satisfaction of the commission.
“The commission Chairman and Executive Director are authorized to issue the approval to go live when IPI satisfies the 26 May listing of deficiencies and pending matters,” he added.
The list of concerns to be addressed include full operation of the fire alarm including a written agreement with the Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services to verify that the required fire alarm system is fully in place; the hiring of an independent safety consultant or full-time safety officers to ensure and maintain compliance; parking spaces to be properly marked and approved by the zoning board; and the cleaning and removal of debris from the construction site.
IPI has also been asked to submit a 2016 audit report, a withholding tax return for Q216, the ownership structure and other matters concerning the operation and maintenance of the facility.
Commissioner Joseph Reyes told Marianas Variety that IPI was yet to address certain concerns of the commission, stating, “The ball is in their court now, so to speak,” in regards to when it opens.
