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‘Assess casino construction’s progress’
It should be officials of Imperial Pacific International (CNMI) LLC that regularly meets to discuss the progress of its multi-million dollar casino-hotel project. Commonwealth Casino Commission vice chair Joseph Reyes stressed this in reminding that the commission only acts as a regulator and a guide.
“They should be discussing all of this and plan ahead as to what to do, if the contractor would change or stay. I recommend they should make a total assessment whether they would meet the timelines that are in place,” said Reyes.
“[They] need to provide details of the project and the progress report based on the timelines. If they would let us know exactly where they are at right now.”
Reyes said the commission needs to know the phases of project that have been completed before they could allow the casino to begin operations.
In his opinion, the 14-storey project is likely 30 to 35 percent complete. “The progress report is a decision between them and the contractor. It depends on the contracts that they have.”
Reyes said that based on the schedule IPI has provided, piling is done at 100 percent, but the commission still wants to know the progress of the rest of the work. “[For example] if you are going to build a $100,000 sewer system and you have only completed 30 percent, what is that 30 percent? The foundation or the walls?”
“You have a schedule when it would start and when it will be finished. That’s how you track your money. If you follow the architecture/engineering formula design, it is clear and tells you what needs to be done.”
He said IPI needs to work within the extension period given them. “This is a $500-million project. What have they completed versus what was projected and how much has already been spent?”
“They just got an extension. They have to work on the extension period given. Otherwise, I don’t know if they are entitled to liquidated damages.”
Reyes said the commission is also concerned with the license agreement since it would affect everybody. “It would affect the government, the people, and the community at large. It is also part of our job to see this project come to fruition.”
