Governing Accord, NIPA, AUC and SMMC highlighted in Budget Debate
PHILIPSBURG:--- The central committee meeting held on Thursday to debate the 2015 draft budget was intense as several Members of Parliament even those supporting the coalition asked various questions on the Naf. 445M draft budget that was presented to them for discussion.
Member of Parliament Leona Marlin in her presentation said that she agrees with her colleague MP Sarah Wescot Williams who highlighted that the Council of Advice already indicated to government that the draft budget for 2015 is not realistic. MP Romeo Marlin said that for the last three years the Government of St. Maarten could not realize its budget, therefore she wants to know how it is possible for government to realize its 2015 budget.
MP Sarah Wescot Williams made clear that while the draft budget began under her watch she does not have microscopic memory, she further stated that even though she was the Prime Minister she did know of everything that was taking place in all of the Ministries.
MP Christopher Emmanuel did not mingle with words when he said that he is asked to approve a budget while the current government still did not present Parliament or the people of St. Maarten with a governing program. MP Emmanuel then asked for the exact of monies that the American University of the Caribbean were allowed to get away with? He said so far he is hearing different figures ranging from $100M to $148M. "The last time the Minister of Finance told Parliament that AUC got a gift, I want to know how much was the gift given, and why was AUC given get such a precious gift." MP Emmanuel further stated that he is of the opinion that there is some sort of collective conspiracy with politicians and certain institutions. He said that the St. Maarten Medical Center (SMMC) asked government for an exemption for their 2013 taxes in order to give them some sort of breathing space to sort out their financial dilemma and so far they have not been granted that exemption. "This is our hospital and a non-profit institution that is serving the people of St. Maarten yet they are not able to get a gift from government. The SMMC said they are willing to pay their taxes after they are able to get over their current financial situation, they are not asking for a gift, they are asking for relief and it is not granted to them. I want to inform the Minister of Finance and Government that charity begins at home.
MP Emmanuel asked if the rumors circulating on the island has any truth to it since he believes where there is smoke there is fire. Emmanuel said that he has been hearing that the CEO of the Harbor Group of Companies will be appointed CEO of GEBE. He further asked who owned the crane at the Harbor and who purchased that crane? Emmanuel further asked for the travel budget of the SMHGC for the period of 2011 to 2014 since this government owned company has not been paying their taxes. He asked for the exact cost for the FCCA conference held on St. Maarten, the exact cost of the Causeway and most importantly he wants to know if the current coalition government plans to develop the Emilio Wilson Park? He asked for an audit to be conducted at all government owned companies.
MP Sarah Wescot Williams and MP William Marlin both mentioned that they heard that government plans to sell the Government Building on Pond Island to APS and wants clarity on this matter. Both MPs said that government is not up to date with its payments with APS and SZV.
MP Frans Richardson indicated that he intends to sit down with his coalition partners to further discuss the plans they have for the people of St. Maarten. MP Richardson who just recently joined the UPP/De Weever/LRMarlin coalition mentioned a number of short comings in the Justice Ministry. MP Richardson also asked questions regarding NIPA especially wanting to know how many qualified teachers work for this institution and how many programs they offer.
MP Silveria Jacobs had several question on the draft budget especially since the draft budget got a negative advice from the CFT and the Council of Advice. She said that while Parliament got a budget to approve they still do not have the governing program, she asked if all teachers are registered at APS and the pension fund because she herself who has been a teacher for some 20 years just recently found out that she was not registered at APS even though she has been paying into this fund. MP Jacobs wants to know what the counterpart policy will do for the government coffers and how would this impact the private sector? She further asked the Minister of Finance to inform parliament how much did it cost St. Maarten to attend to two recent bomb hoaxes and how the Ministry of Justice is handling this matter.
The day long budget debate went into the night and is expected to continue on Friday. SMN News will upload the audio of the budget debate when it's made available by Parliament.
