PHILIPSBURG:--- Prime Minister of St. Maarten Sarah Wescot Williams announced on Wednesday at the Council of Ministers' weekly press briefing that the Council of Ministers approved the amendments made to the 2013 budget. Wescot Williams said the 2013 budget is now by the Council of Advice and after that it will follow the other channels so that it can be approved. The Prime Minister said due to the budget cuts the various Ministries through their Secretary Generals were informed to pay keen interest on their finances. She said an announcement was made to freeze the hiring of new workers even though there are some vital positions that still have to be filled. Wescot Williams said if there are critical vacancies that have to be filled, that will be approved by the Council of Ministers. Wescot Williams said that the current government has placed much emphasis on the finances of government. She further explained that emphasis is also placed on the relationship between government and government owned companies and semi- institutions.
Wescot Williams said there has been talk for a long time now on a dividend policy for government owned companies and they are now looking into that. Wescot Williams said the Government is even discussing their obligations with SZV and foundations that receive funding from government.
The Prime Minister also announced that the Government of St. Maarten also elevated the discussions on the economic situation on St. Maarten. She said every week these two topics, budget and the economy are being discussed and the Minister responsible for the portfolios would put their advices on the table. She said government is working on a long term strategic economic plan for St. Maarten which is running parallel to the national development plan but they are also looking at the issues regarding the economy as they develop.
Minister of TEATT to Review Moratorium on Bus and Taxi Licenses.
Wescot Williams also announced that the Minister of TEATT Ted Richardson is now busy reviewing the moratorium that was placed on the issuance of bus and taxi licenses by the former Minister of TEATT Romeo Pantophlet. Wescot Williams said shortly before the NA/DP/I-3 coalition government fell, the former Minister submitted the moratorium but the procedure was not completed. She said that moratorium was based on an advice dating back to February 2013.
VDSM Head still has time to respond to SOAB Report.
SMN News asked Prime Minister Sarah Wescot Williams if there is any new development on the investigation she initiated at VDSM. Wescot Williams said that she received the report from SOAB which was sent to the head of security service James Richardson for him to respond.
Wescot Williams said that the head of the department still has time left to respond to the SOAB report therefore there is no new development because she did not receive a response from the head of the department.
On another topic, the Prime Minister said in responding to a question posed by SMN News that the government has to wait at least six more months before they can move in to the Government Building on Pond Island. She said workers are still busy working on the building but she made clear that government had to squeeze water out of stone to find the monies to complete and furnish the building.
VROMI Minister to Review Report on Removal and Milled Asphalt.
Wescot Williams also announced on Wednesday that the Minister of VROMI Maurice Lake presented a report on the investigation on the removal of ground asphalt from PJIAE and sand from the harbor. The Prime Minister said that those that conducted the report made some recommendations but refused to say what those recommendations are. She said the Minister of VROMI has to review the report along with the recommendations and then take it back to the Council of Ministers.