PHILIPSBURG: --- Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs made clear on Wednesday when questioned about the ongoing dismissal saga at the Princess Juliana International Airport (PJIAE) that the government of St. Maarten did not interfere in the dismissal process that was undertaken by PJIAE Holding Company. Jacobs said that while she has been receiving many letters’ she found it quite uncanny that the letter sent to her by the World Bank was leaked to the media before the Government of St. Maarten had the opportunity to handle it.
Prime Minister Jacobs confirmed that the letter was sent to her cabinet while she was reporting to Parliament last week, she said she was not even aware of the letter, and when she was informed, she still had to attend parliament the said day.
Jacobs said so far, the government of St. Maarten did not deliberate on the letter as yet but assured that it will be handled including other aspects relating to the agreements made with their donor’s and those funding the reconstruction of PJIAE and all of those that are now interested in the corporate governance and who should have a “say” in the corporate governance of the government-owned company namely Princess Juliana International Airport (PJIAE).
Jacobs said the World Bank letter is not the first to be leaked to the media, however, she prefers to deal with confidential matters in a confidential way, until the government of St. Maarten is ready to divulge what is necessary to the general public.
Prime Minister Jacobs further explained when questioned said that as a shareholder of PJIAE, the government asked for reports which still has to be perused. The Prime Minister said while it’s the government’s role to hold the holding company responsible, it is also the holding company that has to hold the management for whatever is going on within the company. Jacobs made clear that the government of St. Maarten cannot interfere with whatever the Holding Company is doing and deems fit and the same goes for outside governments and entities.
