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Finance Minister Releases Some Travel Expense Figures --- Says Second Quarter includes the Expense of Study Financing Students.

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rtuitt15082012Philipsburg:--- Minister of Finance Roland Tuitt finally released some travel expense figures that the government of St. Maarten endured for the year. SMN News requested the figures regarding travel expenses for politicians when this media house learnt that the government owed Let's Travel huge sums of monies and the company's new manager was pressuring government for what is owed to them.

Tuitt said from January to May Naf.72,548.73 (seventy two thousand, five hundred and forty eight guilders and seventy three cents) was used on travel expenses while from June to August the amount is Naf. 361,965.40 (three hundred and sixty one thousand, nine hundred and sixty five guilders and forty cents). Tuitt said the latter figure which is over three hundred thousand guilders includes the fares for the students that received study financing and travelled to various parts of the world to continue their education. He said the total expenditure for travelling from January to August 2012 amounts Naf. 434,514.13 (Four hundred and thirty four thousand, five hundred and fourteen guilders and thirteen cents. Even though the Minister provided the figures, he did not say how much of the amount has already been paid to the travel agency neither did he release the figures of the debts government had owed the company prior him to taking office.

The Rights and monies that will be paid to the former Ministers.

The Finance Minister also released the amount of monies the government of St. Maarten would have to pay four of the former Ministers who were in government just some months ago. Tuitt said former Minister of VROMI Theodore Heyliger, former Minister of Tourism and Economic Affairs Franklin Meyers and former Minister of Education, Youth, and Sports Rhoda Arrindell will receive compensation during the bridging period. This bridging period is in place for the individuals to find other employment or start a business of their own. Tuitt said if these individuals are receiving income they also have to report it to government every three months and their income will be subtracted from the amount that is stipulated for them to receive. For the first three months these former Ministers will receive 95% of their salary, the following seven months 85%, then for the other ten months 75%. Thereafter up to a maximum period of two years 70%. Tuitt said the former Ministers sat in office for a period of 20 months therefore they will be compensated for 20 months. Tuitt said if Heyliger, Arrindell, and Meyers claim the complete amount each of them will get Naf. 321,696.80 (three hundred and twenty one thousand, six hundred and ninety six guilders and eighty cents). As for the former Minister of Finance Hiro Shigemoto who is a civil servant, he will receive Naf. 81,279.80 (eighty one thousand, two hundred and seventy nine and eighty cents) should he claim the whole amount. Tuitt said Shigemoto was a civil servant prior to becoming a Minister therefore he will return to the civil service where he will be placed in one of the available positions.

Last Updated ( Thursday, 16 August 2012 02:09 )  
Comments (4)
  • Hmmmmmmmm
    avatar

    Rhoda needs it! For the rest its a shame to even accept it without working for it.

    They sat their and enrich themselves.Now they are OUT they still getting paid for screwing
    St.Maarten and its people.

    Give me a break!

  • Hold up one minute!!!!!: ...
    avatar

    Ok. huh :sad:

    So let's break this down to monthly figures.

    Naf.72,548.73 Jan. t/m May = 5 months (Including Gracita :D)
    Naf. 361,965.40 June t/m Aug. 15th = 2 1/2 months (including Students).

    Since the Min. of Fin. NEVER have correct figures at hand, I will have to do my own maths.

    So if, let's say, 100 students travelled @ Nafls. 1.000,00 each that would be a total of Nafls. 150.000,00 ........ and I am sure they got reduced prices as students and they were one way tickets .... but let's just say ;-) ;-)

    That would mean that Govt. officials travelled for (Naf. 361,965.40 - 150.000,00 =) Nafls.211.965,40 PLUS over a 2 1/2 month period.

    Meaning that:
    On average, from Jan t/m May, Govt. travelled for (Naf.72,548.73 : 5 months =) Nafls.14.509,75 per month. (incl. Gracita).

    On average, from June to Aug. 15th, Govt. travelled for (Nafls. 211.965,40 : 2 1/2 months =) Nafls. 84.786,16 PLUS per month (excl. students).


    CONCLUSION:
    Giving us an "increased expenditure" of Nafls. 70.276,41 PLUS (for travel alone) on a monthly basis????
    Could someone please double check my calculations, since this would seem totally ridiculous. (Guess the flu has my head clouded).

    Then not to mention the additional US$ 90.000,00 (Nafls. 162.000,00) and only GOD knows how many more of such "behind closed doors" deals, of money just wasted, thrown away. Where was our "no nonsense" Min. of Fin. to "investigate" the ligitimacy of that deal???

  • student
    avatar

    I think your estimated average of Naf 1000 per student is too low. I was once a student on study financing and do remember that government likes to do things at the last minute. However, last minute airline tickets are also the most expensive, sometimes even more than just booking a business cla** seat. Because of this, I wouldn't be surprised if the government spent up to Naf 4000 for some students' tickets.

    Our government's lack of coordinated organization is another example of wasteful spending.

  • Hold up one minute!!!!!: ...
    avatar

    @ "student:"

    Could be very Slightly higher for Holland tickets but not by much. Remember, these are "one way tickets" not "roundtrips" and not all students travelled to Holland, which were the late tickets. Will check the exact prices online and get back with accurate figures on that. But I am sure it is nowhere close to Nafls. 4.000,00 .... or THAT will become a whole other issue of stupidity.

    It would have been ethical of the Min. of Fin. to have broken down what the cost was WITHOUT the students, but hey, I could understand that they are trying to cover things up since it is clear that they are the ones who have run up the bulk of the debt .... even excluding the students.

    I think that higher supervision .... other than what is now in place, has to be established. Accountability to the people MUST be given. Our politicians ..... and I do mean ALL ..... are totally, insanely out of control.

    Imagine, they are travelling to all parts of the world, wasting our money attending all types of worthless meetings but enjoying state of the art medical care in the USA, Europe and South America and look at the situation at our Med. Ctr. Even with all specialists in place, without proper medical equipments, they are helpless. Go to a private Dr. office on the French side and look at the equipments they have in their office versus what we have at the medical center. It is shameful.

    We are heading for "certain" destruction .... sooner than later. (remember my words).

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