Philipsburg: ---- Minister of Home and Constitutional Affairs Roland Duncan met with the executive council on Tuesday where they discussed the transfer of dependencies from the central government to St. Maarten. Speaking to reporters shortly after the meeting Duncan said the objective of the meeting was to discuss the transfer process, which is, going far too slow. The Minister said if the dependencies are set up structurally on St. Maarten then it can be used to build country St. Maarten.However, they took an inventory on the process to see which is functioning from that, which is not functioning. Duncan said he planned to go back to the council of ministers to see if they can make some changes on the functioning of these dependencies. He agreed that this task would not be easy but is prepared to try to convince his colleagues on the situation at hand.
The Minister said St. Maarten is not at happy with the slowness of the transfer process and they would be voicing their opinion at the RTC meetings to be held on Wednesday.
Duncan said the paper work for the transfer of tasks and dependencies are almost finish, which he said definitely looks nice on paper but the funding for these transfers are not in sight for January 2010. He said St. Maarten does not have the monies to hire the people that would be needed to work in these departments or ministries while there is no structure in place for St. Maarten to actually take over.
Duncan said they do have suggestions in mind, which the central government can use to move the dependencies there. Some of the suggestions are the Brooks Tower Building, the Vineyard Building that is rented by the central government and can be used for the future settings at no cost to St. Maarten. He said the physical setting up is not going as fast enough. Asked what is hindering the process Duncan said there are several problems including the slow reaction from Ministers, and now they are saying there is no money. He said that right now there are a number of issues or excuses that are popping up that has to be dealt with immediately. He said even though the process is going slow he would see to it that the law on the transfer of tasks becomes effective as of January 1 2010. When this law is in place then St. Maarten can stretch forth its arms, and say give me these dependencies, and they would have to prepare the places for these transfers. Duncan further explained that they are busy looking into the measures that has to be taken for January 1 2010 when St. Maarten would have the right to ask for what it is hers but there must be preparation. He said he is not saying that the central government has to turn over everything come January 1, 2010 but they need to see that the necessary steps for preparation is taking place at a faster pace. Those that attended the meeting on Tuesday were members of the CAN (Core Group) and the SOAB who normally advises Duncan as well as the director of constitutional affairs.
