PHILIPSBURG:--- The Prime Minister of St. Maarten Sarah Wescot Williams confirmed that no Christmas bonuses were paid out to civil servants this year. SMN News reporter asked the Prime Minister on Wednesday during the Council of Ministers' weekly press briefing if the Government of St. Maarten paid out any Christmas bonuses to civil servants and if the cleaners that work for government would get the turkey and ham like they got last year.
Wescot Williams said no bonuses were paid due to the budget constraints and this year her office did not make the necessary arrangements to give certain civil servants the turkey and ham like they did last year.
However, the Prime Minister of St. Maarten wished the people of St. Maarten a safe and blessed holiday season.
Causeway not Sinking --- Opening Scheduled for January.
The Prime Minister of St. Maarten Sarah Wescot Williams said that she asked questions to the pertinent authorities regarding if there were any technical problems with the causeway and if it was sinking. Wescot Williams said that the persons she asked vehemently denied that the causeway was sinking but they did tell her that they too heard that rumor and they could not say who started the rumor about the bridge sinking.
When asked by SMN News when the causeway will officially open, Wescot Williams said the bridge was handed over to government during the second week of December and the opening should take place sometime in January. The Prime Minister could not say exactly why the opening was delayed but stated that she was informed that the causeway should open in January 2014.
Transparency International Searching for Researcher - PM.
When asked about Transparency International and the integrity investigation they are contracted to do for the Government of St. Maarten, the Prime Minister said that the last thing she heard was that Transparency International is looking for a researcher and that is the reason they are being held up. When asked if TI does not have such persons working for them, the Prime Minister said based on what she knows TI works with volunteers and she believes they already placed an advert looking for an expert.
Prime Minister Wescot Williams was then asked if Transparency International received a deposit since the contract was signed. Wescot Williams said she could not say for sure if that was done because she could not recall if the contract stated that they had to be paid some sort of deposit after the contract was signed. She said if that was the case she believes it was done but she could not say for sure.
Governor sent Resolution to Government.
Prime Minister Sarah Wescot Williams also confirmed to SMN News that the Governor of St. Maarten drs. Eugene Holiday already sent his resolution on the integrity investigation ordered by Kingdom Decree to the Government of St. Maarten. Wescot Williams said the resolution they received was to inform them of the three persons appointed by the governor (committee) that will advise him on how to proceed with the orders of the Kingdom.
When asked if the Governor indicated in his resolution that he will work with the Government of St. Maarten to conduct the integrity investigation he is mandated to carry out, the Prime Minister said something to that effect is in the resolution but that too she could not remember the exact words.
The Prime Minister also stated that she and the Minister of Justice met with Members of Parliament on Tuesday in a closed door meeting to further inform them on the integrity committee formed by the Government of St. Maarten. The Prime Minister further stated that she will be meeting with Parliament on Wednesday afternoon to continue the central committee meeting on integrity.
