UP-candidate Jonis questions Pearl of China project
GREAT BAY – The proposed Pearl of China Project in St. Maarten has a new wave of attacks this time from former Vromi-cabinet member Otmar Jonis who has expressed concern that an entirely new zoning plan was likely created for this single parcel of land in the Bell Air area. Jonis is also concerned that due care and diligence has not been extended for this project and challenges the project’s veracity.
In a press statement he said it appears despite a draft zoning plan being in existence for the area of Little Bay, including the area designated for development, since 2014 which was placed on public review, the sitting government has made “major changes to that zoning plan to hastily accommodate the project.”
The government appears to have also agreed to grant yet another casino license, this time to the developers of the new Pearl of China, Jonis added. “Moreover the government has also potentially put Country St. Maarten at risk with the establishment of a preparatory resolution which will remain in effect for 18 months. This is especially interesting since the natural process for such a project is normally for consultations to be scheduled between the developer, and various departments of the Ministry of Vromi, to ensure that every aspect of the proposed development is agreed upon prior to preparing the development plans.”
Jonis said the departments of Vromi are so meticulous with such projects that this would take quite some time “and since this is likely a ploy to win voter confidence time is not on the side of this government.” Jonis continued explaining that procedurally once all details are ironed out, a letter of comfort is then given to the developer outlining all details, and specifications that were agreed upon regarding the construction.
“We all have seen in the past that letters of comforts are not ‘air tight’, hence the establishment of the preparatory resolution,” Jonis stated. The reason for the planning involves giving government prior knowledge of the developer’s plans “so that once permit requests are made they can easily be granted since VROMI would have already been prepared.”
It is also interesting since it is normally also in the best interest of the developer that this step is taken, as it assures them that there would be no delays in granting requests once the major investment in procuring the plans for the development has been made. Jonis said “This is where it gets interesting. Our present Government knows that at the cusp of our elections, there is no guarantee that they will still be in office by the time the developer is ready to request the necessary building permit.”
This leaves any challenges of any potential fallout with the developer, both legal and financial, in the hands of the new government that takes office after the September 26th election. Jonis has been closely monitoring the events since the proposal of the project, including the ground breaking ceremony scheduled for a few days prior to our elections, and especially the publication of a preparatory resolution for the parcel of land for the proposed development.
“I realized that the government is really intending to basically ram this project down the throats of the people of St. Maarten,” Jonis stated. The number 23 candidate on the United People’s party slate says some questions that must be asked regarding this project include “why the haste, where are the studies, and has any been even carried out? With regards to the newly created zoning plan, Jonis said this government has” likely catered it to encourage the desires of this Chinese group to accommodate their giant pearl. It seems in order to solidify the stands of the Chinese group, the government took it a step further and established the preparatory resolution ahead of any plans and consultations. Meanwhile the preparatory resolution will remain in effect for eighteen months, giving the developer time to prepare all necessary plans. This means that the projects development, if it ever takes place, may take over two years before it starts.”
