PHILIPSBURG – Members of the Central Committee of Parliament fired a large number of questions at Finance Minister Richard Gibson Sr. on Tuesday afternoon about the country’s financial status. The minister will answer in a follow-up meeting on Thursday.
UP-MP Tamara Leonard and USp-MP Chanel Brownbill both asked about a rescue plan for the University of St. Maarten. “There is speculation that the minister of finance will approve emergency funds for USM if all other ministers agree,” Leonard said.
Leonard also addressed the company the government has selected for the execution of its 3-million guilders roof repair program. IKGN International, a Florida-based firm obtained the contract. Nicole Marie Halley is the registered agent for IKGN. She is the spouse of Alex Dijkhoffz, the campaign manager of USp-MP Silvio Matser.
“Where is the advice to sign off on the purchase of materials for roof repairs?” Leonard asked. “What is the history of this company and has the government done other business with it? Why has no local company been considered?”
Brownbill also asked the minister about a rescue plan for the post office.
NA-MP Rodolphe Samuel asked whether the deal with the World Bank for supervision the reconstruction fund has been completed. “And is fixing roofs, especially on the homes of senior citizens, a priority?”
“The conditions are almost met and I am confident that the interim-government will conclude this deal with the Dutch government,” said DP-MP Perry Geerlings. He is however “confused” about the money that suddenly became available for the roof repair program. “Is that part of the €550 million recovery fund?”
UP-MP Theo Heyliger asked how much the government has by now paid out to contractors for clean up activities.. “Has the government controlled these invoices? I heard an amount of 13 million; for two months, that seems to be a lot of money. How much more does the government estimate the cost of the clean up?”
Heyliger furthermore asked about plans for the rebuilding of large resort properties. “Between them they employ around 2,000 people,” he said.
The MP also noted that fifty families are still living in the Festival Village. He asked how much this shelter costs the government per month.
Heyliger then turned to the condition of government-owned companies. “The revenue of GEBE has probably dropped by 40 percent,” he said. “What is the outlook over the next couple of months for these companies? I will ask the boards of the government-owned companies to come to Parliament to explain their situation.”
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