Philipsburg:--- St. Maarten has to take a decision as to how they would proceed with the category two Brooks Tower Permits said Minister of Justice Magali Jacoba in an interview with SMN News on Monday.Jacoba who is currently on St. Maarten on a work visit said she met with Leader of Government William Marlin whom she told that St. Maarten has to take an urgent decision as to how they would proceed with the category two permits if not several hundreds of people will get hurt.
Jacoba said Marlin promised her that he will discuss this matter on Tuesday with his executive council and would notify her of the decision taken by his council. The Minister said she also asked the island Lt. Governor to look into the linking of the labour permit and the BTA.
The Minister said that St. Maarten is the only island that decided they wanted to have the labour permits regulated before the category two Brooks Tower Permit is granted to anyone. She said while the other islands have agreed that the recipient of such a permit must only provide a receipt to show they paid the processing fee prior to picking up their BTA permit. St. Maarten has chosen to regulate the labour permits first.
Jacoba said the team handling the BTA has received 2,680 requests some 1,600 were signed off by the Lt. Governor of St. Maarten. However, she said she is not aware of the number of people that did not pick up their permits for the lack of payments or insurances. Persons who were granted their permits also have two more months to pick up their permits. The Minister is also urging those that were qualified to pick up their permits prior to the controls that are set to begin. She said she is hoping that all BTA permits will be picked up by the end of April.
Jacoba said so far the BTA team rejected some 51 files since they did not meet the necessary requirements, while the steering group received 1,015 letters that they are still working on.
The Minister said she is currently discussing with the St. Maarten as to how they would grant Haitian nationals some sort of amnesty during the planned controls. Jacoba said prior to the registration of these nationals the discussion with the island government has to continue since they need to have more information on how the procedure is going to take place. Haitians living on St. Maarten illegally must register when the registration begins so that they can be considered Jacoba said. "When the controllers begin their work they would have to see something to shows that they registered, however, none of this has been finalized since the discussions are still ongoing." Jacoba said it is expected that the registration will begin on March 15 and it will last a short period.
Dongor Will Not Receive an Extension--- Francessca Pending.
Police coach Ronald Dongor will not receive an extension of his contract confirmed Minister of Justice Magali Jacoba. Jacoba said that the police coach would work until May 15 since his two-year contract ends then. She said the KPSSS should have the necessary re-enforcements in place and there would be no need to have Dongor any longer. Currently a selection for a police chief, heads of legal and general affairs candidates are being selected. Interviews she said are scheduled to take place as early as this week the Minister said.
The Minister said these persons are supposed to take office by April 1 while four persons from Holland will be joining the police force. Jacoba said the Lt. Governor sent in a request to give Dafnis Francessca an extension on his contract since he is scheduled to go on pension on May 15 but no decision has been taken on whether or not Francessca will be given an extension.
Jacoba said she did not meet with Martina neither Francessca but confirmed that neither of the two candidates did not ask her for an extension of their contracts.
Philips Saga Continues --- No final Decision Taken
While the Minister of Justice has met once more with Detective Carlton Philips, yet no decision was taken on how the KPSSS would deal with the Philips case. She said currently she is busy collecting information from all parties and when that is completed then a decision will be taken. "I have to balance the information I received and all I am asking is for some more time before I take a decision." Jacoba said.
Detective Carlton Philips requested from the KPSSS to conduct an investigation to clear his name since he was accused of destroying evidence while he was head of CID. Philips also accused the management team of enriching themselves. Since then the prosecutor's office has refused to work with Philips even though he is showing up for work everyday and taking complaints from several people who are victims of crimes.
