PHILIPSBURG – Following the resignation of Minister of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure, Mr. Miklos Giterson and the passing of the vote of non-confidence against Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor, Mr. Emil Lee the Council of Ministers has been adjusted as follows until the two new ministers have been appointed.
Mr. Miklos Giterson will continue in the role as caretaker Minister for the Ministry of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure until the prospective Minister candidate has been appointed.
Meanwhile, Mr. Emil Lee made his position available and as of July 11th 2019 will no longer function as the Minister responsible for the Ministry Public Health, Social Development and Labor. In his absence, Prime Minister Leona Romeo Marlin will take on the additional role as Acting Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor until the prospective Minister candidate has been appointed.
Following a preliminary consultation with the management team and speaking on behalf of the entire Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labor, the management team has expressed their 100% commitment and dedication as civil servants to continue to serve the community as a collective. The Ministry has pledged to maintain the great working relationship with the interim Minster as it was established with Mr. Emil Lee.
The remaining members of the Council of Ministers would like to publicly express their gratitude to former Minister Emil Lee who has been at the helm of the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labor over the past 4 years. The Council of Ministers thanks Mr. Lee and his family for their years of service and sacrifice to the community of Sint Maarten and wishes Mr. Lee success in his future endeavors.
The replacement protocol of the Council of Ministers will be as follows:
- The Prime Minister / Minister of General Affairs, Mrs. Leona Romeo-Marlin, is replaced during her absence by Mr. Wycliffe S. Smith, who is the Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport;
- The Minister of Finance, Mr. Perry Geerlings, is replaced during his absence by Mrs. Leona Romeo-Marlin, who is the Prime Minister / Minister of General Affairs;
- The Minister of Justice, Mr. Cornelius de Weever, is replaced during his absence by Prime Minister Romeo-Marlin, who is the Prime Minister / Minister of General Affairs;
- The Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport, Mr. Wycliffe Smith is replaced during his absence by Mr. Stuart Johnson, who is the Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication;
- The Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor (currently vacant) is replaced during his / her absence by Mrs. Leona Romeo-Marlin, who is the Prime Minister / Minister of General Affairs;
- The Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication, Mr. Stuart Johnson, is replaced during his absence by Mr. Perry Geerlings who is the Minister of Finance; and,
- The Minister of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure, Mr. Miklos Giterson, by Mr. Van Hugh C. de Weever, who is the Minister of Justice.
On Friday afternoon, Mr. Emil Lee was treated to a farewell get together, along with members of the Council of Ministers and a cross section of civil servants mainly from the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labor.
