Native builds are always a safer/more reliable path to take than cross-compiling, which usually requires solid native builds to be operational before the cross environment can be reliably trusted.

Its a bootstrapping chain of priority. Once a native build regime is set in stone, cross compiling harnesses can be built to exploit the beachhead.

I have saved many a failing projects budget and deadline by just putting the compiler onboard and obviating the hacky scaffolding usually required for reliable cross compiling at the beginning stages of a new architecture project, and I suspect this is the case here too ..