PHILIPSBURG:--- Is this another delay tactic by the Minister of VROMI, Mr. Patrice Gumbs?
The General Audit Chamber's findings are factual and authoritative and confirm serious governance and administrative shortcomings within the Ministry of VROMI. These findings are directly relevant to a resident whose building permit application, submitted in 2023, remains undecided nearly three years later.
A resident’s building permit application has remained unresolved since 2023, despite compliance with procedural requirements. Such a delay is excessive and inconsistent with principles of good administration.
The property is located on Union Road, Cole Bay, adjacent to an apartment building reportedly owned by the father of the Minister of VROMI, Mr. Patrice Gumbs, raising legitimate concerns regarding impartiality and equal treatment.
During the 2024 Parliamentary Budget Debate, Minister Patrice Gumbs was questioned about this specific building permit and stated that it was “being reviewed.” More than one year later, no decision has been issued, calling into question administrative accountability and respect for parliamentary oversight.
The General Audit Chamber has identified systemic weaknesses within the Ministry of VROMI, including prolonged delays, weak internal controls, and governance failures that create conditions for improper influence or the appearance thereof.
Administrative responsibility for coordinating and finalizing building permit approvals rests with the Secretary General of VROMI, Mr. Kenson Plaisimond, who currently serves under a fixed three-year contract. The continued absence of a decision in this case raises serious concerns regarding administrative independence and the impartial execution of statutory duties, particularly in a politically sensitive matter.
Prolonged inaction in such cases undermines equal treatment under the law, erodes public confidence, and may constitute maladministration.
Residents who believe they are experiencing unreasonable delays, unequal treatment, or administrative irregularities are encouraged to submit formal complaints to the Bureau of the Ombudsman, which is mandated to investigate allegations of maladministration independently.
This case underscores the urgent need for transparency, accountability, and the equal application of the law, ensuring that no resident is disadvantaged due to political proximity or influence.
