Philipsburg:--- Leader of the National Alliance Faction William Marlin has dispatched a letter to the Chairlady of parliament Gracita Arrindell regarding the agreement general secretary of parliament Franklyn Hanze signed with the United Telecommunications Company (UTS) without the approval of parliament.
SMN News learnt that the chairlady of parliament had instructed the general secretary to sign the contracts on behalf of members of parliament prior to discussing the matter with the MP’s or the faction leaders.
The source said at least two members of parliament supporting government raised severe objections to the decision taken by the chairlady to provide the MP’s with a cellular telephone package that is half the amount compared to what was proposed by the Ombudsman.
SMN News learnt that the Ombudsman proposals for MP’s are equal to the Secretary Generals which amounts to Naf: 500.00.
While it is said two MP’s supporting government contested the limits on their phones. The source further explained that the phones delivered to the MP’s are the latest Blackberry Torch (touch screen) and all 15 of the parliamentarians accepted their phones. Furthermore, the opinion expressed by the source is that if the parliamentarians are objecting to the procedures that led to the signing of the contracts then these parliamentarians should not have accepted the phones until the issue is cleared up. SMN News further learnt that while the MP’s in the National Alliance have accepted the phones none of them activated it as yet. Some of the MP’s also want to know why they were not given the option to choose which of the two companies they would have liked to have.
In an invited comment, Managing Director of UTS Glen Carty said the contracts have been signed and the phones were delivered by the staff of the commercial department to each parliamentarian who accepted the phones which has a limit of Naf.250 monthly.
Marlin in his letter asked at least thirteen questions regarding the contracts and under whose authority Hanze signed the contract.
A copy of the letter which was provided to SMN News states that parliamentarians were informed during one of the permanent committee meetings last week that a delegation from UTS were to visit them to make a proposal from UTS on cellular phone packages for all members of parliament. Marlin stated in his letter that the chairlady had said all members of parliament were informed of the meeting which turned out to be false.
According to Marlin’s letter when the UTS delegation visited them at the new parliament building they brought with them cellular phones for all members of parliament with new numbers based on an agreement Hanze signed with the company.
Marlin indicated that a brainstorming meeting was held on Friday morning with the four faction leaders to see if they could have reached an agreement on the cellular phone package for the MP’s. So far no final agreement has been reached and the matter he said is still hanging in the air.
Marlin said several Members of Parliament have already received their new phone, have had it activated and are already using the number assigned to them.
Marlin therefore submitted his questions to which he is looking forward to a speedy response. This he said is to avoid un-necessary mistakes which could lead to negative legal and financial consequences for parliament.
The questions are as follows:
1. When did Mr. Hanze sign the agreement with UTS, containing a “package” for the use of cellular telephone service provided by UTS? Who signed the agreement on behalf of UTS?
2. On whose behalf did Mr. Hanze sign the agreement?
3. When did or will the agreement go into effect?
4. For how long a period is or will the agreement be in effect?
5. What are the monthly/annual financial consequences of this agreement?
6. May I have a copy of the agreement?
7. Who authorized Mr. Hanze to sign the agreement?
8. Is it true that the agreement went into effect as of January 1st, 2011?
9. May I have a copy of the instructions given to Mr. Hanze, authorizing him to sign the agreement?
10. On whose behalf (the Chairlady of Parliament, the Parliament of St. Maarten, as Interim Griffier of the Parliament of St. Maarten) did Mr. Hanze sign the agreement?
11. Was there any consideration given to enter a similar agreement with TELEM?
12. Who initiated discussions with UTS that led to the signed agreement?
13. Were similar discussions held with TELEM? If no, why not?