PHILIPSBURG:--- On Friday Minister of Public Housing, Environment, Spatial Planning and Infrastructure (Ministry VROMI) Hon. Maurice Lake was informed that the court ruled in favour of the owners of the Emilio Wilson Estate and said that the Government should sign the sales and purchase agreement as presented by the owners within fourteen days after serving of the verdict.
"The court verdict does not surprise me because Government in the past has had cases where the Government has to honour agreements made.
"Government has two options at its disposal to purchase the estate. A decision could have been taken this past Tuesday, but now scheduled for February 25 when the next Council of Ministers meeting will take place.
"I have been working closely with the Minister of Tourism & Economic Affairs Hon. Ted Richardson and Minister of Finance Hon. Martin Hassink, and I commend them for bringing forth an advice for the purchasing of the Emilio Wilson Estate.
"I have made my opinion on this matter known, that I support the purchasing of the Emilio Wilson Estate for the people of the country 110 per cent, and my stance on this has not changed. We have to stop playing politics and start making decisions.
"Once a decision has been taken, we need to sit with the owners of the Emilio Wilson Estate and develop a plan of action to move forward," Minister Hon. Maurice Lake said on Friday.
Minister Lake added that Government has been in communication with the owners of the estate in finding a solution.
"Government's current financial situation presents challenges and the purchasing of the estate could not be included in the draft 2014 budget, but we have two options available and need to take a decision.
"The outgoing National Alliance Government was irresponsible knowing Government had no money to purchase the estate. The 2013 budget was not even approved when they made an agreement. The former Minister of VROMI was irresponsible to make such knowing there was no approved budget. Politicians need to lead by example rather than putting us into a predicament.
"Also part of the court's judgment is if Government is of the opinion that a previous official or civil servant of the Government by signing the purchase agreement with the Emilio Wilson Estate owners has caused damage to the country due to intent or gross negligence, Government may consider to recover these damages from the salaries of these previous officials or civil servants.
"Since the 2013 budget was approved, there is still no money to purchase the estate, but Government is committed to the people and the Minister of Finance and Minister of Tourism & Economic Affairs has presented two options which is a win-win. The Council of Ministers will decide next Tuesday which option will be selected," Minister Hon. Maurice Lake said on Friday.