PHILIPSBURG:--- The Democratic Party faction in Parliament continues to express its concerns regarding the so called Vorst land deal. While the judge in the court of first instance has ruled against the government in this particular case the Democratic Party faction in Parliament considers the behavior of the UP minister Maurice Lake irresponsible. To come out and claim vindication for this bad land deal purchase it is unbelievable, the Ministers way of thinking. How can the Minister claim vindication while the civil servants are still waiting for their final payment of the Cost of living adjustments. How can the Minister claim vindication while the Budget amendment 2015 have not passed parliament. How can the Minister claim vindication while our police officers are still waiting to collect their retroactive payments. How can the Minister claim vindication while we have persons in our community struggling to make their monthly payments to GEBE. How can the Minister claim vindication period, for a bad land deal whereby the purchase price of 5.5 million dollars has been set way above the average land purchase price on St. Maarten. When this matter was brought to parliament the Minister first claimed that the land would have been used for the building of homes as we have many young persons returning home wanting to own their own home. Now during election the UP minister in the typical style of the UP political party presents and artist rendition of his plans for the Vorst land. It turns out that the Minister has come with a complete new plan which includes offices, some homes and a sewing center. If the Minister is so interested in providing homes for our young people then the Minister should follow the example set by the Democratic Party in 2008 when the Democratic Party took back the lands in Monte Vista from the company Point Blanche Development cooperation and gave these lands to locals. The Minister now has the opportunity to revoke and amend the resolution signed by his party leader Theo Heyliger and withdraw the permission given to Point Blanche Development NV to sell government land outright. These 50 Lots are being sold for an average of US $ 300.000,-- which amounts to a direct loss of income for government of $ 15.000.000,--. If the Minister is so hell bend on helping St. Maartener's get a piece of the action then we expect him to do just this. Come August 29th, the Democratic Party faction can guarantee the voters of St. Maarten two things. To re address the Vorst land deal including holding the Minister Maurice Lake personally liable as stated in the judges considerations when he issued the verdict against government and number two to revoke the decision by the former Minister of VROMI and now UP leader Theo Heyliger whereby Point Blanche Development NV was given permission by the UP leader Theo Heyliger to sell these lands outright with all the monies going directly into the pockets of these so called developers. The proceeds of the sale of these lands could pay for half the cost of the construction of the causeway.
Parliament will have to take a position on the Vorst land deal and on holding Minister Maurice Lake personally liable for the financial damages inflicted by him to the Country with the signing of the Vorst land deal. One can just imagine if Parliament does not take a firm stand on this matter what the future will look like. Any Minister can then go out and sign an agreement to purchase something of far less value for an amount way above the market value and when the deal doesn't go through the same Minister encourages the persons to take government to court and the judge rules in the favor of the individuals. The Democratic Party faction in Parliament ask themselves we're does the boundaries of the Ministerial responsibility stop? This will only stop when the Minister in question feels it in his own pocket or when a Minister learns that matters of this nature needs to be brought to the Council of Ministers and Parliament for approval. These are the checks and balances in our system. In this case as the Democratic Party faction in Parliament we have brought a motion condemning the actions of Minister Maurice Lake. Come August 30th it should not be life as usual and the outgoing or the incoming parliament will have to take a stand on this Vorst land deal and the actions taken by Minister Maurice Lake. Nothing less will suffice for the people of St. Maarten.
DP Press Release
