PHILIPSBURG:--- In a fiery and emotionally charged session in Parliament, Member of Parliament Egbert Jurendy Doran delivered a blistering critique of VROMI Minister Patrice Gumbs Jr, accusing the government of negligence, poor planning, and abandoning more than 100 workers to unemployment.
Opening with a striking question directed at the Minister, Doran asked how he “slept last night,” referring to the abrupt termination of district cleaning contracts that left over 100 individuals without jobs overnight.
“Government is supposed to look out for its people, not add to their hardship,” Doran declared on the Parliament floor.
100+ Families Left in Uncertainty
At the heart of the controversy is the Ministry’s decision not to extend existing district cleaning contracts or issue a timely tender before their expiration. According to Doran, this failure directly resulted in widespread job losses affecting more than 100 families.
He argued that simple administrative actions—such as issuing an extension, similar to what was done in other sectors—could have prevented the crisis entirely.
Instead, he alleged, the situation has opened the door to favoritism, with claims that certain individuals may already be positioned to take over the work ahead of a new bidding process.
“Incompetence and Negligence”
Doran did not mince words, describing the situation as a “mixture of negligence and incompetence,” and warning that the consequences are being felt by ordinary citizens struggling in an already difficult economic climate.
He pointed to rising fuel costs and the increasing cost of living, emphasizing that the people affected are workers—not contractors—who depend on these jobs to support their families.
Road Safety Failures and Serious Accident
The MP also shifted focus to infrastructure, raising alarm over what he described as dangerous neglect of road maintenance.
He referenced a serious accident in Sucker Garden involving police officers, claiming the Ministry had prior knowledge of the hazardous road conditions but failed to act.
According to Doran, warnings had been issued multiple times—including directly to the Ministry—yet no repairs were carried out.
He accused the Minister of avoiding accountability, even suggesting that blame had been shifted onto the police rather than addressing the root problem.
Tender Process “Set Up to Fail”
A significant portion of Doran’s address targeted the handling of the district cleaning tender process, which he described as fundamentally flawed.
He claimed that while multiple contractors participated, the criteria and structure of the tender made it nearly impossible to successfully award all districts.
“It cannot be that everyone failed except the Minister,” he said, challenging the government’s narrative.
Doran is now calling for full transparency, including the release of evaluation details and the reasons behind each disqualification.
Millions Unspent, Projects Stalled
Further intensifying his critique, Doran questioned the Ministry’s financial management, highlighting:
- A reduced road repair budget of just 600,000 guilders
- Millions in capital expenditure funds are sitting unused
- Delays in critical infrastructure and wastewater projects
He noted that previous budgets for road maintenance were significantly higher, arguing that current limitations are the result of government choices—not necessity.
Silence From the Minister
Doran also revealed that formal correspondence sent months ago regarding infrastructure concerns remains unanswered.
“If Parliament cannot get a response,” he warned, “what chance does the average citizen have?”
A Call for Accountability
Despite the sharp criticism, Doran concluded with proposed solutions, including:
- Establishing a task force to address building permits
- Improving long lease fee collection
- Ensuring transparency in government tenders
- Prioritizing urgent road repairs
He closed with a pointed analogy:
“When the whole team fails, the coach must go.”
Political Pressure Mounts
The confrontation signals growing political tension and increasing scrutiny on the leadership of Minister Patrice Gumbs.
With public frustration rising over unemployment, infrastructure, and government responsiveness, this issue is likely to remain at the forefront of national debate in the days ahead.
