USp & NA request urgent meeting on PJIA proposal

PHILIPSBURG — The United St. Maarten (US) party and National Alliance factions of Parliament has requested Chairlady of Parliament Sarah Wescot-Williams to convene an urgent meeting of Parliament to discuss the reported Decision of The Council of Ministers to go with the Dutch government and European Investment Bank (EIB) financing proposal to the tune of US $100 million to go towards the reconstruction of Princess Juliana International Airport (PJIA).

The aforementioned factions requested the presence of the Minister of General Affairs, Prime Minister Leona Marlin Romeo and the Shareholder Representative TEATT Minister Stuart Johnson for this urgent meeting.

“Considering that the airport plays a vital role in the economy of St. Maarten and its recovery post hurricane Irma and Maria and this decision could have substantial consequences for the company and country, it is important that Parliament be informed of the details of the agreement,” US Leader MP Frans Richardson said.

“Additionally, the reported decision contradicts previous statements made by a member of the Council Of Ministers and raises additional questions which will further be presented in Parliament during the requested public meeting.”

Richardson continued: “Clarity needs to be provided about what this proposal entails, what the government has agreed to, if they have agreed to anything, why the reverse position on the conditions ect. Parliament needs to know,” Richardson said.

The US and NA factions also requested for the meeting to be held sooner that the 4×24 hours permitted as per the Rules of Order Article 33, sub 5, considering the severity of the issue at hand. The meeting request was signed by MP’s Frans Richardson, Rolando Brison, Christopher Emmanuel, Ardwell Irion and Jurendy Doran.