DPW: IPI’s tower crane shall be disassembled ASAP

The Department of Public Works has underscored the need to remove immediately the tower crane atop Imperial Pacific International (CNMI) LLC’s unfinished casino project in Garapan after determining that it poses an imminent threat to public safety and properties.

In a notice of actual and immediate danger issued to IPI vice president Tao Xing last Oct. 5, a copy of which was obtained by Saipan Tribune yesterday, acting DPW Building Safety official Yvonne B. Tenorio declared that crane No. 5 shall be deconstructed and/or disassembled.

DPW Secretary Ray N. Yumul disclosed yesterday that DPW will take down the tower crane and will hire a contractor via emergency procurement to do the disassembly.

Yumul said the Office of the Attorney General and Division of Procurement and Supply are currently reviewing a draft of the bid solicitation.

Tenorio stated in her notice that, pursuant to the Building Safety official’s regulatory powers, IPI, its employees or agents, are notified to vacate the premises where crane No. 5 is located.

The tower crane, which looms over Hibiscus Street between the IPI casino/resort building and Joeten Hafa Adai, has reportedly not been used since December 2020.

Tenorio said she will further issue a notice to vacate adjacent structures and protect the public by an appropriate fence or such other means as may be necessary, and may close a public or private way.

As per a provision in the NMI Administrative Code, costs incurred in connection with the deconstruction/disassembly of the crane structure shall be borne by the CNMI government.

Tenorio said these costs shall be a lien on the land upon which the crane exists until recovered by the government.

DPW, through Tenorio, declares that crane No. 5 “poses an actual and immediate danger or failure or collapse, or any part thereof so as to endanger life or property.”

She issued the declaration based on the records on file with respect to crane No. 5, together with previous aerial (drone) surveillance inspection, prior professional technical inspection of the structure on the cranes, including jib sections and counter weight.

The official also cited the most recent on-site inspection conducted by DPW’s Building inspector and engineer, which revealed that shoring and bracings for tower crane support or tie, as shown in the aerial photos, have indicated that the crane is in serious disrepair and poses an imminent threat.

She said the recent on-site inspection also found rusted components that degrade the structural integrity of the whole equipment; severe rust and deformity of metal structures; complete absence of regular maintenance of the crane for several years; and damage or degradation to the wire rope.

Tenorio said the recent on-site inspection found alignment issues; abnormal wear on the wheels, wheel bearing, and rails; and prolonged tropical environment exposure; the complete absence of regular inspection and maintenance; and abandonment of the crane structures. These, she said, have seriously compromised the structural integrity of the tower cranes.

She said the on-site inspection found that the crane structure is vulnerable to earthquake damage and/or collapse, especially with earthquake magnitudes above 4 or 5.

Tenorio said data taken from the U.S. Geological Survey for the past month and a half revealed approximately 20 separate earthquake activities averaging a magnitude of 4 or more in the Marianas. She said these earthquakes undermine the structural integrity of the crane structure.

Tenorio said the CNMI is now in the typhoon season and the associated risks of the crane structure have increased immensely.