~ Plans are in place to secure the late Dr. Claude Wathey Statue. ~
PHILIPSBURG: ---- The Minister of VROMI confirmed on Wednesday that the demolition of the old government administration building is scheduled to start today, Wednesday. Doran said the contract was recently signed off to the contractor that won the bid. He said that the cost of the contract is NAF600,000.00 while there is a contingency of NAF 80,000.00 in the event the contractor falls into default.
“Today is actually the groundbreaking ceremony at 3 pm, I invited the general public to come out and witness this as it is a momentous day that will go down in history for St. Maarten. This building has significant historical value, a lot of good and bad things happened there.”
The Minister assured that plans are in place to secure the statue of the late Dr. Claude Wathey, however, Doran could not say what specific plans were made. He said that the Department of New Projects was busy with those negotiations. The Minister explained that if it comes to a point where the statue has to be removed it will be taken to a safe place for safekeeping as the area is intended for the construction of the country’s parliament building, office spaces for the high council of states, and parking garages.
The Minister said his idea is to have all St. Maarten pioneers in a specific area, so all of these persons who already passed on will be remembered for their contribution to their country.
