~ Emergency meeting called by Shareholder. ~
PHILIPSBURG: --- Minister of TEATT Roger Lawrence who was visibly upset when addressing the situation regarding the termination of the Chief Operations Officer of the Princess Juliana International Airport (PJIAE) Michel Hyman said that the shareholder (Government of St. Maarten) was not informed of the decisions taken by the government-owned company. Lawrence said that government only knows what was published in news. “Because the government was not informed the shareholder dispatched a letter on Tuesday requesting an emergency shareholders meeting which must be called within 5 days.”
“In addressing the big elephant in the room, I must inform you that the Council of Ministers including my person as the direct contact to the airport is yet to receive any communications, emails, letters as it relates to the shareholders meeting that took place on Monday, March 14th, 2022. I find this to be very disappointing, especially in this critical juncture and more so, a national interest as an airport that communication is not where it should be, based on that we have decided to call an extraordinary shareholder meeting with PJIAH to discuss the ongoing situation as it relates to Mr. Michel Hyman. Again, I want to stress that I find this to be extremely disappointing in particular with an individual who has been part of that institution and its success for almost three decades. It is clear to a great extent that government institutions, in particular, have a carte blanche to do as it pleases, and we need to address these concerns. Communication is key, the reason the shareholder representatives are placed at these institutions is to cascade and inform the ultimate shareholder accordingly and up until this date we have not received any type of information, only what is alleged in the media.”
In responding to questions posed by SMN News regarding the audit that was requested in December 2021, the Minister said that the shareholder advised the holding board to conduct an audit. He said this request was made based on the information that was provided to the shareholder in December 2021. Lawrence said in December 2021, the holding board provided insufficient information to the shareholder during their meeting with the Council of Ministers as such they were advised to conduct an assessment that led to the agenda point of December 23rd, 2021 as it relates to the dismissal of Mr. Hyman. The Minister made clear that the shareholder is yet to receive any follow information including the report of the audit that was conducted by Forensics Caribbean Services. On Tuesday, a letter was sent to the newly appointed Managing Director Mr. Keith Franca outlining all details pertaining to the request for information so that the council of ministers can objectively peruse all details on the steps that have been taken by PJIAE and PJIAH.