Former Imperial Pacific International construction team leader Jesse Aquiningoc looks at the rusty elevator at the unfinished IPI building in this photo taken two months ago.
THE former team leader of Imperial Pacific International's construction workers said the IH Group should inspect IPI's unfinished casino-hotel in Garapan first before investing in the Hong Kong-based company.
Former Imperial Pacific International construction team leader Jesse Aquiningoc looks at the rusty elevator at the unfinished IPI building in this photo taken two months ago.
In an interview on Monday, Jess Aquiningoc said IPI's casino-hotel building is in “a very bad shape.”
Aside from a pile of debris inside the unfinished hotel tower, rainwater floods one of the casino’s VIP rooms which are now full of mold, he added.
Aquiningoc, who also claims that IPI still owes him $4,000 in paid time off, said he is willing to give the IH Group a tour of the IPI building “so they can see for themselves what they are going to run into."
He said there are "a lot of discrepancies" at the construction site which, he added, does not meet U.S. standards.
He said the building’s tower cranes are also full of rust and are “tearing apart.”
Asked for comment, IH Group's local partner Vianney Hocog said the new investors have already inspected the casino-hotel building.
"We are doing due diligence as we move ahead with the investment agreement with IPI, he said, adding that the IH Group plans to operate the casino and the 15 luxury villas that face the beach.
IH Group will complete the construction and pay some of IPI's obligations including unpaid salaries, he added.
IH Group Chairman Kyunam Kim earlier said they plan to invest approximately $150 million and are "carefully reviewing" their investment agreement with IPI.
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