Glen Carty about damaged government building

~ “Contractor could have done a better job” ~

PHILIPSBURG – The government building on Pond Island sustained quite some damages during Hurricane Irma, but the Government had one thing going for it: it does not own the building. Social and health insurances SZV is the owner and its director, Glen Carty, says that the building was well-insured.

“We are almost done with the damage assessment with the insurance company,” he says. We have ordered all the materials we need to do the repairs and the government keeps paying the 485,000 guilders rent every month.”

That the government moved into the new building last year is “a blessing in disguise” Carty says. “Look at the old government administration building on Clem Labega Square; the VROMI-building on the Pondfill and the building of the Labor department. They have all been destroyed and those departments are working in the new building. Where would they have been otherwise?”

There is no definite assessment of the damages to the new building at the moment. That is because some of the damages may only become apparent several months down the road. “Electrical outlets, elevators, lights, they all work at the moment, but they could very well stop working six months from now,” Carty says.

This is due to the fact that part of the building’s roof was blown away during the hurricane. Salt water rained into the building and infiltrated cabling systems. Salt water corrodes. “But at the moment we do not know exactly what has happened with the cabling,” Carty says.

The insurance industry has reacted to the catastrophe in a predictable manner. “If you want to insure now with the same coverage, you have to pay almost double the premium,” Carty says, adding that this policy applies all over the Caribbean. “Who will be able to pay that?”

SZV will shortly begin with repairs to the government building. One thing will not be possible: placing a concrete roof. “The foundation cannot support that weight,” Carty says.

Looking at the deficiencies the hurricane has brought to light, Carty says that he is not a contractor, but that the company that built the structure could have done a better job. “Now you can see how it was built. You know that we live in a hurricane belt and you know that these hurricanes will be back. I would have put a concrete roof on that building.”

The disaster also offers new opportunities, the SZV-director says. “Now is the time to switch to e-government – a paperless office. We can put 700 civil servants in the building; not in spacious offices but in cubicles. This is the moment to reorganize the way government works. Compliance is important and to manage compliance you need a citizens service number.”

Compliance is an issue that also plays at SZV, where companies have to register their employees and pay their dues. “SZV will begin with strict controls,” Carty says. “We will be on the road and visit businesses and point out that they have to register. It is important that they pay us.”

Companies who fail or refuse to register after an initial visit could face fines.

Photo caption above: SZV-director Glen Carty. Photo Hilbert Haar.

Photo caption: Hurricane Irma caused damages to the roof of the government building. Photo Hilbert Haar.

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