PHILIPSBURG:--- The Democratic Party, as part of its DP Party Platform for the 2014 Parliamentary Elections, highlighted its plans for infrastructure improvement in the various districts. The platform presents various plans to move the infrastructural development of St. Maarten forward and to ensure that the country's infrastructure is catered to the needs of the community.
"The Democratic Party supports the infrastructural priorities for the country such as link 6, the upgrading of Union Road and the placing of side-walks in the districts. Additionally, updating the Road Network Plan will allow better planning in sync with the zoning plans which are being developed," reads the DP Platform on Infrastructure and Zoning. The Platform also says that the zoning of the island, while necessary, should not be presented as a fait accompli to the citizens but should increasingly engage residents meaningfully in discussions about future plans.
The DP Platform also continues to support the plans to develop the Bethlehem Estate. This plans call for a public private partnership to bring about a development in Dutch Quarter that will change the landscape of the district positively and profoundly. It will provide a number of economic and social impulses and opportunities, but most importantly, it will stimulate jobs for residents of the district.
The Platform also highlighted the 11th European Development Fund, signed into force by Prime and DP Party leader Minister Wescot-Williams (EDF), which will be allocated to Urban Development and will result in further improvements and upgrades to the districts.
"We have successfully managed to sign the funding agreement with the European Union for the upgrading of the Dutch Quarter District. With the signing of the European Development Fund agreement St. Maarten will be expected to manage its own 10th EDF execution with as mentioned the designated project being the upgrading of Dutch Quarter. The management structure that will be put in place is a critical component to ensure that the project is executed within the parameters and guidelines of European funding. In order to inform the community of the project I will therefore be heading into the Dutch Quarter community to give an explanation regarding the upgrading of this very important district," stated Party Leader and Prime Minister Sarah Wescot-Williams.
DP Press Release