PHILIPSBURG:--- The seven members making up the Gumbs cabinet on St. Maarten showed up at a press conference on Wednesday where they each laid out the projects they have been working on since taking office in December 2014. Minister Claret Connor spoke of the road patches, and road repairs that will soon begin while he also shed light on the sea water that is pumped from the sea into the Great Salt Pond.
Minister of Finance Maarten Hassink spoke of the 2016 budget he presented to the Council of Ministers and also sent to the CFT. Minister Hassink said the country is facing some serious challenges with the 2016 budget especially in light of the instructions imposed on St. Maarten. He said the 2016 budgets amounts to NAF.510M, already there is a NAF.70M gap since the country’s income is marked at NAF 440M
The finance Minister indicated he already know what the CFT will say that the government of St. Maarten is too optimistic.
Minister Hassink said that government have to focus on some severe cost cutting measures while they have to try to increase their income.
Minister of TEATT Ernest Sams said he met with several stakeholders including Copa Airlines , Arkfly and his intention is to meet with Delta Airlines. Minister Sams said he was working on getting the gaming board established, while working on marketing the country overseas.
Minister of Justice Dennis Richardson focused on the crime situation on St. Maarten and Minister of VSA Rafael Boasman on several areas related to health, proper and enough water for the residents of St. Maarten.
While it is the first time the Gumbs cabinet decided to inform the people of St. Maarten on Wednesday it appears as though they knew that this was their last shot at letting the people of St. Maarten know something about the things they have worked on because the Governor of St. Maarten will call for the resignation of the Gumbs cabinet in order for the majority in parliament to install their Ministers and prepare for new elections. (more details on the Governor’s decision will be in another article.)
