PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten – This Parliamentary week has started without any meetings being scheduled. In the meantime an urgent meeting was called and held to approve the credentials of the new incoming members of parliaments. With nomination day scheduled for November 21st, it is left to be seen if the President of Parliament will schedule meetings next week, during what some like to call the “none meeting week”.
From media reports I have learned that some Police Officers were concerned about claims being falsely made that they will be paid out by December. The Minister of Finance has explained that there is a legislative correction to be made by Parliament, I await this change. In the meantime, the former Minister of Finance has signed off with the unions that payments will take place soon as an advance.
In the meantime, I have asked that the Minister of Finance by means of a Parliamentary Question Hour provide answers to the following questions;
1. What amount has the Government actually received from the “UTS/St. Maarten” sale?
2. Is this the entire amount? If not, why hasn’t the entire amount been settled?
3. What are the “technicalities” encountered with the draft contract?
4. Why is the Parliamentary authorization being regarded as incomplete?
5. Why is there a further Parliamentary authorization necessary, according to the media reports?
6. How is the transition on St. Maarten going? Has Flow maintained its commitment that there will be no lay-offs in the company?
7. What about the social commitment made by Flow?
I hope this question hour will be scheduled by the President of Parliament, MP William Marlin next week, so the public and members of Parliament can receive answers.
