PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Finance Martin Hassink called on former Minister of Finance Roland Tuitt to issue an apology to the civil servant he attacked in the media late last week about breaking government policies. Minister Hassink said he is not a politician but he strongly felt that if the former Minister has concerns he could have gone to court or to the Ombudsman but going to the media (public) is too farfetched. He said the action was cowardice and even childish.
The Minister of Finance further explained that the former Minister left a policy behind which both government and civil servants have to follow. He said there was no law made and he wanted to make that clear. When asked if the policy that is in place is adhered to, Minister Hassink said based on what he knows the policy is fully respected. He said everyone he spoke to told him that the policy is applied at the Receiver's Office. SMN News asked the Minister of Finance if he believes that government is about continuity and if he found a draft law that had to be taken to parliament when he entered office. The Minister of Finance said he does believe in continuity in government and he did find a draft law and that draft law had to be worked upon. He further stated that he will be taking that draft law to Parliament by March. He admitted that it is a bit late but when he took office he needed some more information to see why the law was set up the way it was set up. He further explained that there were also some problems with the 2013 budget and this took priority and took up his resources.
No Extension on Road Tax Payment --- Controls will start March 2014.
Minister Hassink announced at the Council of Ministers' weekly press briefing that he will not be extending the period to pay for number plates. He said that he is seeking far too many "yellow" plates on the road and controls will begin soon. Minister Hassink said there are no lines at the Receiver's Office and he has no reason to issue an extension. He said the persons who did not pay their 2013 road tax should not laugh as yet because measures are being taken. He said that when the controls are done they will be working in collaboration with the French side to catch drivers that are using old French number plates. These controls will begin in March 2014 which gives the people enough time to comply.