PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten – Independent MP Christophe Emmanuel on Tuesday said he is still awaiting answers from Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs to questions he submitted since February 18, 2021 on issues surrounding the St. Maarten Festival Village. Issues, he said, that has since raised many rumors of possible fraudulent actions, underhanded deals and other suspicious acts being committed at the facility by the board and other third parties.
He said it would behoove the PM to provide the answers to some 40 questions that he submitted to begin to shed light on the operations of a facility that has dissolved into a public eyesore. Additionally, the MP is questioning why the board of the government foundation that runs the village has never been changed since the facility opened.
He said Stichting Overheids Gebouwen (SOG) is a three-man board with no vision on how to exploit the facility and, apparently, no ability to repair the facility since it was damaged after hurricane Irma. “The festival village was meant as an entertainment and cultural facility, primarily for Carnival, but one that can feature other creative events. Here we have a board of three people who have no knowledge in event organizing and who organizations have constantly complained about,” the MP said.
“Two are government civil servants from VROMI and the Ambulance Department, and the other used to be a technician at TELem and WINAIR. They know nothing about running a facility such as the village and it shows. We have other local people in the correct field that do annual events that can and should be appointed. The current group, especially the President, feel as if they are kings in a dilapidated castle. They have failed and should be replaced by more capable local people,” he said.
He continued: “Where is the insurance money to repair the Village. Was it received or not? If yes, why is the village not repaired and if not, why not? And why is this board apparently untouchable? What are they protecting and why is government protecting it? Very little, if anything, is known about the Festival Village operations or about SOG.
Another issue Emmanuel is seeking clarity on is how SOG is dealing with the US $1.7 million it owes to Sheriff Security. Sheriff Security used to secure the facility for a number of years and currently still has an office on premises. Additionally, the MP said, the government of St. Maarten in total owes the same security company approximately US $4.2 million (including SOG $1.7). “We need answers on these issues and more.”
The MP said. MP Emmanuel also included several questions about TelEm’s role in the festival village and with the SOG and why other telecommunications companies are not allowed commercial opportunities in the Village, which could possibly assist in the upkeep of the facility. He also asked about the other government facilities that SOG manages.
“There have been many complaints made publicly by several groups and organizations who wish to make use of the St. Maarten Festival Village. Their complaints have centered on the procedures and manner which the facility is operated by the SOG. Some of these complaints have reached my person and I have a duty to try and obtain answers in the general interest of the public,” the MP said.
