Having an ambitious agenda is one thing, but taken all consequences into consideration must remain of paramount concern, when it comes to spending our tax payer's money with the Minister of Tourism and Economic Affairs proposal put forward. It would be amiss of me not to point out that I believe the Minister with his announced proposal to establish a St. Maarten Airline Company may be considered yet again, as the "Minister running a fowl" with his quest to put the cart before the horse.
Even though I am currently off island, I have been following media reports with respect to the presentation of the Governing Program of the current NA-led government. I was surprised once again to learn that the Minister of TEATT Romeo Pantophlet plans to establish a St. Maarten Airline Company.
One has to wonder whether the Minister is living on St. Maarten or somewhere else. Winair, one can consider is close to a national airline at this point in time since we own 92 per cent while the remainder is held by the Netherlands on behalf of St. Eustatius and Saba. The Minister should first look at ways to acquire 100% ownership Winair and then expand the operations. In this way we could better manage our growth.
We have to wonder if this is really the government for the people. Isn't the Minister and the Government thinking about the existing employees of Winair? Wouldn't a second airline cut into the market share of Winair thereby resulting in a loose-loose scenario for both airlines?
The Minister owes it to the people to explain how he plans to maintain and sustain such a project. Has a feasibility study been carried out for (another) national airline? Can the Minister confirm this? Was this matter discussed in detail with DP and the independent members as coalition partners? Who are the actors behind this initiative? The Minister has thrown into the air another wild idea without any substance behind it one can conclude at this point in time. We have too many unanswered questions.
Are there forces at work who would like to see Winair fail and go belly up making way for the envisioned national airline that Minister Pantophlet and the NA-led Government are promoting? What will happen to the 70+ employees and their families? Who will this initiative benefit at the expense of the country and the workers of Winair?
The UP was part of the Government with former coalition partner DP, who saw Winair make a turn-around, and the airline along with its hardworking employees continue to work diligently to make things work, and they are on the right track.
Tax payer's money should not be used as the Minister's personal "piggy bank" to start a national airline that Minister Pantophlet is promoting. This will further increase the debt of the country and burden tax payer's.
Minister Pantophlet needs to provide the people of the country with a feasibility study that this initiative will work because they have identified a market; secondly, that this initiative does not in any way harm Winair; and that tax-payer's won't be the ones to foot the bill.
Hon. Jules James
United People's (UP) Party, Member of Parliament, Parliamentary Committee Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transportation & Telecommunications (TEATT) Member