Philipsburg: --- SMN News has been reliably informed that the executive council of St. Maarten had to re-schedule one of its agenda points on Tuesday. Sources say that the executive council had intended to discuss the much talked about SOAB report on ROB department. The final report was given to the Leader of Government William Marlin and the Lt. Governor Franklyn Richards early last week while members of the executive council also received a copy of the report late last week, as they were to take a decision on the report on Tuesday. The report has been divided into three sections all of which have consequential information.
SMN News learnt that a decision was to be taken on the contents of the report, which is said to have severe consequences on the department and those working there. However, Commissioner responsible for Public Works Theo Heyliger did not attend the meeting on Tuesday hoping that the National Alliance majority would have taken a decision on their own.
SMN News learnt that the agenda point has since been postponed to next week where the matter would have to be discussed one way or another. Sources say Heyliger also has to take part in the budget discussions but somehow he is evading these discussions.
SMN News also learnt that the executive council might decide to move most of the workers that are currently working at ROB as recommended by SOAB. While it is clear that, the management of ROB would some day have to answer questions on how they managed the department over the years SOAB has recommended that members of the management team be removed immediately. In its report, SOAB indicated the amount of irregularities that was found in each section of the department including workers who were conducting side jobs for investors, incomplete files that were approved for certain investors, the lack of building permits of certain buildings that have been constructed are only some of the highlights in the report.
Efforts made to contact Heyliger for a comment on the report and his failure to attend the weekly executive council meeting on Tuesday proved futile up to press time.
