IPI’s Browne feels CNMI govt wants them out

Imperial Pacific International (CNMI) LLC chief executive officer Donald R. Browne stated that the CNMI government’s actions are causing them to think that it does not want them here.

“There’s word on the street that there are already three or four other people lined up to take our livelihood away. We can’t stand for that,” said Browne during a meeting last Wednesday with members of the House of Representatives Gaming Committee, which Rep. Ralph Yumul (R-Saipan) chairs.

That uncertainty whether IPI will retain its casino gaming license is also putting a wrench on a reopening plan for the casino, Browne said. “We can run a hotel, I’m sure. But we came here for gaming,” he pointed out in response to the questions and concerns raised by Rep. Joseph Lee Pan Guerrero (R-Saipan).

For now, Guerrero said, he is still unsure about supporting IPI’s bid to reopen its casino, citing the company’s involvement in so many court proceedings. “I don’t know where you guys are in these court proceedings right now,” said the lawmaker, noting that IPI has been sued left and right on matters pertaining to non-payment of services. Guerrero said there is also concern about employees not getting paid. “How’s that addressed?”

Most of all, though, Guerrero said he’d like to know what plan IPI has with reopening the casino. He wonders how IPI is going to survive if it can’t bring in the gamblers. “Who’s [going to] patronize [the casino]? Are we looking at the locals? Because I don’t see that’s going to happen. So what is IPI’s plan when it does open?” the lawmaker asked.

He clarified, though, that he fully supports the intent of having a casino industry because of its economic impact. He said the casino industry gave the CNMI a huge hope to revive its economy because the CNMI’s only industry, the tourism industry, was at the time suffering from other competing destinations. That was one of the rationale behind his initial support of the casino industry, he said. As the time goes on, though, Guerrero said the casino industry was not moving in the right direction and that the casino license agreement went through so many amendments.

Now he wants to know about IPI’s plan on how revive this casino industry and what’s IPI’s game plan if Gov. Ralph DLG Torres allows them to reopen the casino. “Is there a plan in motion? We, as the committee, want to hear,” he said.

Browne said they understand the frustration of the lawmaker, who has been a supporter of the casino industry. “Our labor issues are the same as everybody else’s labor issues right now,” said the CEO, adding that their reopening plans are essentially the same as everybody else’s right now. “It’s unknown [due] to a number of factors.”

Browne said the reopening plans are also contingent upon many things such as the relationship between the Trump administration and China.

He said the Hotel Association of the Northern Mariana Islands stated that most of the hotels will probably not open until May 2021 because of the lack of airlines.

With respect to its foreign workers, Browne said if they send them back to their home country, they don’t have to pay them but, as long as they’re here, they’re IPI employees so they have to pay them even if they don’t open.