~Policy clearly states that location for casinos cannot be near schools, or sensitive buildings.~
PHILIPSBURG:--- The demissionary Minister of TEATT Stuart Johnson will have to explain to the people of St. Maarten how was it possible for him to grant permission to the owners of Rouge et Noir casino to move from their current location to Super Plaza building while the gaming policy clearly states that casinos cannot be located next to sensitive buildings such as schools and churches. In the case of Super Plaza Building, there is a school that is less than 50 meters away and a library which is also considered a sensitive building, yet permission was given for the relocation.
Besides the sensitive buildings next door, there is no adequate parking for such an establishment. Sources say that the Chinese business owner is busy with renovations while a building permit was not requested and granted. The interior renovations of the Super Plaza building are well underway but the businessman is not living up to his agreement by paying rent. Already court cases are being filed while the Minister or TEATT sits back.
Several businesses have contacted SMN News with one complaint against the Chinese investors on St. Maarten, these people are not paying rent or other bills. Contractors are not being paid tax evasion being committed while workers have no health insurance. Several workers said they have filed complaints with the Inspectorate of Health and Labor but to date, nothing has been done.
Another businessman on Front Street sought the assistance of Members of Parliament since he too rented his building on Front Street and rent is not being paid.
Some months ago, the Minister of TEATT was about to grant a license for a brothel to be in a residential area in Cole Bay. Parliament questioned the minister on this when he reported to parliament since then the issue went dead.
Member of Parliament Rolando Brison told SMN News that he was bombarded by businessmen who find themselves in a predicament since they are not being paid rent for their buildings they leased to the Chinese investors.
Brison said he will be sending a letter to the Minister or TEATT while he is also going to call the Minister to parliament for the decisions he took with Rouge et Noir.
Brison further said that he will also look into the influx of delinquent investors since he is getting complaints from too many workers.
Just recently several persons contacted SMN News about LIU FUJUN Caribbean N.V that have not paid their employees and sub-contractors but have terminated their services. One such person is Eligio Sommersaul who worked undercover for the Chinese investor and was also laid off without cause.
Sommersaul a politician used his political contacts to enable the investor who recently got rid of him. Another employee that as also laid off said the Chinese wanted him to serve as a snitch and to provide boats for them to smuggle Chinese and St. Lucians to the island that has been working illegally on their projects.
The workers said the Chinese investors allegedly have lawyers, politicians and department heads enabling them with their illegal actions.
Click here to view the updated gaming policy.
