PHILIPSBURG:--- In a heated session of Parliament on Wednesday, the Honourable Omar E.C. Ottley, Member of Parliament and Leader of the United People's Party, pressed Minister of VROMI Patrice Gumbs on critical issues affecting the ministry and the people of St. Maarten and asked whether there were consequences for his mistake.
MP Ottley addressed the Minister of VROMI in a Public Meeting of Parliament regarding, among other things, the new policy that erases past land applications and forces all interested parties to reapply if they want to be considered.
MP Ottley expressed deep concern over the lack of consequence regarding the Minister's failure to allow public review and voice their concerns and objections to projects before the VROMI Ministry approved them. In a press release on Thursday, MP Ottley said that eighty percent of the approved building permits were not published for residents to review and pose objections. Yet, while the Minister said he took accountability, there were no known consequences to the Minister for his failure. "It is easy to say you take accountability when there is no consequence behind it," Ottley stated. "The people who could not object are the ones paying the price, not the minister."
The MP also addressed what he sees as a growing crisis in land distribution. He strongly opposed the government's new policy that requires individuals who had previously applied for government land or housing to reapply. "People who have taken their time to apply for government land are now being told their applications have been erased. I cannot and will not agree with this," Ottley declared.
Ottley further criticized the minister's competency, stating that the Minister's party colleague often answers for the Minister in Parliament. "If the faction leader has to answer for the minister, then maybe he should be the minister," he remarked. He also raised concerns about political influences on ministerial appointments, warning that private interests could be at play in decision-making. "If the party's financiers decide who should be the Minister of VROMI, then be warned that the party financiers could also be developers."
The MP highlighted inconsistencies in how major projects are handled, noting that some developments face work stoppages under the guise of environmental impact concerns while others receive approvals without issue. He pointed specifically to halting the locally-owned West View project, questioning whether it was being unfairly targeted.
Ottley also raised concerns about St. Maarten's energy supply, urging the Minister to ensure GEBE remains a priority within VROMI's scope. He challenged Minister Gumbs' statement that major projects would only be executed in the fourth year of his term, asking, "Are you waiting for GEBE to get generators? Because I refuse to believe you will sit in that seat and do nothing for three years."
Finally, Ottley demanded to know what consequences the Minister would face for failing to allow objections to construction projects before approval. "These are the concerns of the people affected by your lapsed judgment. I am also speaking for the people waiting for government land. Their applications cannot simply be shredded, and they cannot be told to start over. I am fighting for those who cannot fight for themselves," he asserted.
MP Ottley's remarks reflected the frustration of many residents who feel unheard by the government. He closed his first round in parliament on Wednesday by asking Minister Gumbs if he would be willing to adjust his policy to allow persons who need land and have applied to remain in consideration without going through the rigorous process of reapplying.
