Marigot: --- The confusion and misunderstandings between the first Vice President Daniel Gibbs and the Union Pour les Progres moved to another level on Thursday night when Gibbs resigned during an extra-ordinary territorial council meeting. The meeting which took place behind closed doors was called by the President of the Collectivity Frantz Gumbs to announce the decision taken by the executive council which is to strip Gibbs of his portfolios. During that meeting the president announced the decision he has taken and asked Gibbs to stay as far as possible from him. SMN News learnt at that moment Gibbs announced that he has resigned from the UPP group however, he will remain a vice president without portfolios.Shortly after territorial councilors Jean David Richardson, Marthe Ogoundele Tessi, Remi Williams, and Annette Philips left the meeting.
They gathered for a moment in front of the Collectivity where they shared their grievances with the members of the opposition then left for the Galisbay port where they continued their meetings. SMN News spoke to the councilors who said they have had enough with the dictatorship of the president and the UPP leadership. Jean David Richardson confirmed to SMN News that a group of the elected officials who are part of the majority will be submitting their resignation on Monday morning to the President Frantz Gumbs. Those that are expected to submit their official resignations are Daniel Gibbs, Marthe Ogundele Tessi, Remi Williams, Annette Philips and Jean David Richardson. Should another councilor decide to follow Gibbs and his supporters then the current government will fall. Sources say that discussions are currently taking place with the other members who are also dissatisfied with the way the COM is being managed.
In an invited comment territorial councilor Jean David Richardson said that Thursday night's meeting was a disgrace to democracy. Richardson said he has serious problems with how the dismissal of Gibbs has taken place and he reminded the UPP leadership of how they handled the situation with Marthe Ogoundele almost three years ago.
The territorial councilor further explained that the president has five councilors making decisions for 16 persons. Richardson said to date he has not received any letters from the UPP faction stating what are the problems they are having with Gibbs. He further explained that the president has decided to give tourism to Dr. Louis Jeffry someone whom he said has no experience. "What is he going to do with tourism?" He said the tourist office was supposed to submit its financial statements before November 15th but up to now that has not been done. He said St. Martin is not a banana republic or a "piason" he said the Collectivity is dealing with people and their livelihood. He said the councilors are faced with a situation where they cannot discuss with their president and that he seems to have Alzheimer's disease because somehow he forgets that he is the one that does not listen or discuss with his councilors. Richardson said their intention is not to break the government but when faced with situations where the president is not working in the best interest of St. Martin, then a decision has to be taken.
A press release from Daniel Gibbs states that the president indicated to members of the council that he has lost confidence in him generally and that his decisions are based on their disagreements with the waterfront project.
Gibbs said Jean David Richardson intervened criticizing the way the Collectivity is being governed. The embattled vice president said he informed the council of the true reasons why the president has taken a decision to strip him of his portfolios and to reshuffle it among the remaining vice presidents. He said besides the waterfront project there are issues regarding the audit he asked for at Semsamar and the open conflict at the tourist office and most importantly the two headed government rather than a collegial or collective government. He said there are certain members of the council who are eager take over his portfolios. Gibbs said in view of the above reasons he has expressed respect for the population who elected the Union Pour les Progres on a program which he upheld, even though the ruling government has modified that program due to several ups and downs during the last three years. Therefore he has logically decided to resign from the UPP group. A letter of resignation will be sent to the President in the coming days.
The portfolios that were taken from Gibbs have now been redistributed to the following vice presidents.
PRESIDENT
- Economic strategy and interventions
- Emerging sectors, innovation and TIC
- Professional training and employment
• A mission entrusted to Mr. Arnel DANIEL: follow-up of the following
files:
- Agriculture, fisheries and stock-raising
- Public transportation and territorial continuity
• A mission entrusted to Catherine LAKE on economic interventions (AOT, Assistance to companies...)
VICE-PRESIDENT Claire GUION-FIRMIN
- Protection of mothers and infants (PMI)
- Social protection of children
- Senior citizens and handicapped persons
- Health of populations
- Housing
- Fight against exclusion
- Prevention of delinquency
VICE PRESIDENT Pierre ALIOTTI
- Territorial development
- Urban planning
- Road construction and maintenance
- Constructions of school and public buildings
- Natural environment and living environment
- Domain property
- Technical services
VICE-PRESIDENT Louis JEFFRY
• A special mission is entrusted to Mrs. Carenne Mills for the organization of certain events.
- Tourism
- Education
- Culture, Youth, Sports
- Associations
- District Councils
- Communication, protocol, events
- Spokesperson for the Executive Council
