Saipan Resort to be completed in 16 months

A traditional Chinese ceremony was done by Honest Profit International and Win Win Way Construction during the commencement of their superstructure work yesterday at their site in San Antonio. The construction of the Saipan Resort Hotel is said to be finished in 16 months. (Frauleine Villanueva-Dizon)

In 16 months, the construction of a new 300-room hotel complex in San Antonio will be completed.

This was the promise made by Honest Profit International’s contractor Win Win Way Construction during the ceremony for the commencement of its superstructure work yesterday at their site where the Saipan Resort Hotel will soon rise.

Win Win Way’s technical director Dr. Jim Kan Hou-Sek made the statement before the representatives of various CNMI government agencies and private companies.

According to Hou-sek, they have finished their pile caps and will now continue with the construction of the building.

During the final piling ceremony done last October, HPI said it was their mission to open during the end of this year.

Among the problems encountered by HPI was the approval of the work permits of their construction workers, which were delayed.

Currently they only have 20 construction workers and about 100 are expected to arrive early April from China and Hong Kong.

Hou-sek said they have about 200 work permits more that are pending.

“We tried to recruit local labor,” Hou-sek said, adding that they are also looking into training local laborers.

One problem that they encountered, he said, was that applicants don’t come in for interviews.

“This island belongs to them. Hopefully we can get more local people to participate in the project,” Hou-sek said.

Chan said they will try to minimize the delay.

“We’ll catch up with the schedule as much as possible,” HPI president Sam Chan said, adding that they will start with the construction right away.

He also said that it is not true that they have workers whose visas are for tourists.

“That’s why we slowed down, otherwise, we could’ve started. That’s why we needed permits first,” Chan said.

HPI and Win Win Way did a traditional Chinese ceremony yesterday to “pray to the gods for good luck and for everything to go smoothly.” They lit and put incense around food offerings as well as in some areas of the site.

Lt Gov. Victor Hocog said the cooperation of the government and the private sector is needed for the success of the project and that he is happy that the delay for the work permits have been resolved.

“We need to work hand in hand to make sure that everything is successful without delay and no major accident,” Hocog said.

He added that he is happy to that HPI will finish the project in more than a year’s time.

“I’m looking forward to seeing the ribbon-cutting for the finished product,” Hocog said.

Hong Kong-based company HPI held the groundbreaking for their $130-million complex in September 2014. The hotel will have 296 rooms and five villas. Their lease is for 25 years, with an option to extend by 15 years for a total of 40 years.