‘IPI extension request, reasonable’

The CNMI Lottery Commission will be calling a meeting in order to entertain the request for extension by Imperial Pacific International (CNMI) LLC for their still-to-be finished casino-hotel project in Garapan.

Commission chair and Commerce Secretary Mark Rabauliman told Saipan Tribune that they had already received IPI’s 119-page Amendment Request Package.

“Now, I’m just trying to work with the rest of the commissioners to figure out their schedules and call a meeting to entertain their [IPI’s] request,” he added.

The meeting had to be before the Aug. 31, 2018 deadline of IPI’s Amendment No. 5. The package is IPI’s amendment request and proposed casino license agreement amendment No. 6.

“It [meeting] has to be before the deadline. We’re trying to all come together and finalize the actual date. Then we’ll be making the announcement,” added Rabauliman, who is joined by Finance Secretary Larrisa Larson and Department of Public Safety Commissioner Robert Guerrero on the commission.

The Development Plan Advisory Committee, composed of Pacific Century Inc. and N15 Architects Inc., is recommending to the commission to grant IPI’s request for extension. PCI and N15 each represent the CNMI and IPI.

“IPI has notified DPAC that the construction of the initial gaming facility cannot be completed by the previously approved completion date primarily due to the unforeseen delays in immigration and labor law issuance, which caused a CNMI-wide worker shortage. IPI submitted an amendment request package to DPAC addressing the effects of these delays and how they have worked to overcome them,” DPAC wrote to Gov. Ralph DLG Torres.

DPAC said N15 analyzed IPI’s amendment No. 6 package while also considering data from the CNMI, general contractor, and other members. “N15 takes the position that the IGF is being developed under fairly unique conditions primarily because of the geographical, political, and economic conditions of the CNMI, and therefore, local information is an invaluable resource in determining the validity of the request.”

DPAC said PCI and N15, after conducting separate independent high-impact analysis, find IPI’s request reasonable.

“The analysis provides compelling evidence that the CNMI will gain maximum financial receipts by amending the CLA to provide the development flexibility and time extension to complete the construction. PCI, utilizing its independent analysis, certifies that the extension request from IPI is justifiable,” wrote DPAC on the letter.

“In keeping with the spirit of the CLA, DPAC therefore recommends that the [commission] approve the proposed amendment to allow IPI to establish a sustainable gaming facility, further benefiting the people of the CNMI.”