PHILIPSBURG:--- During Friday's budget meeting debate, MP Ottley expressed deep concern regarding the long-delayed Marketplace Project. As former acting Minister of TEATT and current Member of Parliament, Omar Ottley pressed for answers on the holdup. What followed was a revealing back-and-forth between the current Ministers of TEATT and VROMI, with each pointing the finger at the other.
When asked if the building permit request had been submitted, MP Gumbs stated, “Yes, a new building permit request was submitted in December 2024. The permits department is awaiting the safety drawings from the contractor. TEATT is handling this as they are the principle of this project, not VROMI. As such, this permit is on hold.” MP Gumbs further reiterated, “This is not the responsibility of VROMI.”
MP Ottley highlighted that during his tenure as Minister of TEATT, a finalized rendering of the Marketplace Project was approved by all relevant stakeholders and had been cleared for the construction phase. “Everything was ready to go,” stated the MP. “There was no reason for delay.”
The current Minister of TEATT acknowledged that modifications were made to the original design, which caused “significant delays.” What was even more alarming was discovering that the Minister of TEATT had to revert to the original design from January 2024. When pressed on who bears responsibility for the holdup, Minister of TEATT attributed the stagnation to the Ministry of VROMI.
However, Minister of VROMI quickly countered the claim, asserting that the delay lies with TEATT. The exchange left many observers with more questions than answers, as the much-anticipated Marketplace Project continues to be entangled in bureaucratic crossfire, while the vendors continue to face financial hardship and displacement. The United Peoples Party (UPP) is growing increasingly frustrated, watching two key ministries pass the blame while the project remains at a standstill. MP Ottley reiterated that there was even a ceremonial groundbreaking one week before the Elections, another empty political promise. As it stands, the Marketplace Project has become a symbol of governmental gridlock, and MP Ottley is demanding clarity, accountability, and most of all—progress.