DPW tells IPI to take down tower crane
The Department of Public Works has issued a new notice to Imperial Pacific International (CNMI) LLC to take down its tower crane atop the unfinished casino resort project in Garapan.
In response to Saipan Tribune’s inquiry, DPW Secretary Ray N. Yumul disclosed that they issued a notice for the removal of the crane to IPI for safety reasons due to the approaching Typhoon Bolaven and that acting Building Safety officer Yvonne Tenorio signed the notice.
“No response as far as I know. We did give a short grace period for them to reply,” Yumul said. He did not elaborate.
Last May, DPW closed Hibiscus Street for safety reasons because of IPI’s tower crane No. 5.
The DPW secretary then stated that he was consulting with the Office of the Attorney General on how to resolve the issue.
He said the crane, which looms over Hibiscus Street between the IPI casino/resort building and Joeten Hafa Adai, poses an imminent threat to public safety since it has not been used since December 2020.
IPI reportedly sent experts to do maintenance on the crane to make it safe even with the typhoon.
Tower crane No. 5 is seen atop the unfinished Imperial Pacific International (CNMI) LLC’s casino/resort building in Garapan in this file photo taken last May 24 when Typhoon Mawar was approaching the Marianas.
-FERDIE DE LA TORRE
