PHILIPSBURG:--- On December 16th, 2014 I sent the minister of VROMI via the chairman of Parliament, 5 questions regarding the St. Maarten Housing Development Foundation, due to the public uproar regarding this institution, the allegations, the threats etc.
My questions were straightforward. I did not ask for books, I did not ask for financials or incorporation articles.
The Prime Minister, Honorable Marcel Gumbs subsequently dutifully presented himself to Parliament, also acting as minister of VROMI and boasted of this record, having done so within 72 hours of his installation.
Again I repeated the same basic questions, most of which could be answered with a yes or no. The Prime Minister was vague and dismissive about when Parliament can expect answers on the SMHDF. Will the Parliament get these tomorrow, next week, next month, ever?
A month later, the public is left in the dark as to the allegations, left and right, regarding the housing foundation.
The Honorable Prime Minister is seeking a better rapport with Parliament. Kudos!
While he suggests "meet and greets" and has met with the Chairperson of Parliament to iron out issues, what better way to uphold one of the fundamental rights of Parliament, the right to information.
So here goes: (now to the Prime Minister, also acting as Minister of VROMI)
- Has the Director of the SMHDF been suspended? If yes, why and since when?
- Is the Board of the SMHDF currently legally constituted? Who are the members?
- Which is the last annual report the minister has received from SMHDF?
- Has any other report been commissioned on SMHDF? If so, by whom and why? And again, if so, please provide Parliament with a copy of such.
- Finally, what is government's official position on the recent developments at SMHDF?
Honorable Prime Minister Gumbs, if not for Parliament, then for the People, on whose behalf we (I) speak.
