PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten – Following the completion of the first phase of works at the Philipsburg and Simpson Bay police stations, both are now better able to withstand any major storms as the buildings have been deemed ‘water and wind tight’. This is the consensus of the small group of representatives that participated in the official walkthrough and handover on Wednesday, May 29th. The project , which falls under the Emergency Recovery Project 1 of the Sint Maarten Recovery, Reconstruction and Resilience Trust Fund, comprises of repairs including window repairs, doors, shutters and roof sealing to improve working conditions at the police
headquarters.
Claret Connor, Director of the National Recovery Program Bureau, the Trust Fund’s implementation unit explained that “The completion of phase one precedes the launching of a second phase which will involve permanent internal and roof renovations. The process to finalize the beginning of this second phase with stakholders is underway and we are diligently working on starting as soon as possible.”
During the walkthrough the water-proofed roof was inspected, shutters were tested and doors and windows were opened and closed to ensure that the competed works were of a good quality. Minor issues were noted and are scheduled to be finalized within short. “Although there is still more work to be done, we are now better prepared for the upcoming hurricane
season.” Ms. Clenda Pecht, head of the Operations Unit of the St. Maarten Police (KPSM) observed. “Even the physical appearance of the stations is more suitable for our officers to carry out their day-to-day functions”.
Represented at the walkthrough were the works contractors Aluminum Systems NV, the supervisor contractor Independent Consulatant Engineers (ICE), Ministry VROMI as the government entity responsible for public buildings, KPSM and the National Recovery Program Bureau. The Sint Maarten Recovery, Reconstruction and Resilience Trust Fund The Fund is financed by the Netherlands, managed by the World Bank and implemented by the Government of Sint Maarten.
Photo captions: Picture A: shutters are tested in the Simpson Bay Police Station tower.
Left to right: Ricardo Heyliger (VROMI), Hensley Baromeo (VROMI), Piet van Ommere (NRPB), Jean Claude Benhoma (Aluminum Systems), Yuri Daal (ICE), Clenda Pecht (KPSM), Kurt Ruan (VROMI) and Roland Gumbs (ICE).
