In a press release published in the local news papers on Saturday march 5th, reacting to the Territorial Council’s unanimous decision to validate the president of the Collectivité Frantz GUMBS’ choice to grant to the bidder SNC LAVALIN the Delegation of Public Service (DSP) for the management and investment of the Grand-Case Airport; first Vice-President of the Collectivité, Daniel GIBBS (dissident member of the UP/UMP group and now leader of the UD faction), made a few surprising and even troubling statements.
Yes it may seem good to try to get political mileage from all situations but yes also, all posturing might not be ethical.
We deem it important to reset the stage and to restore a few facts. Firstly, one must be conscious that the first Vice-president (D. GIBBS) has been in charge of the airport portfolio since 2007, but because of the very serious financial difficulties and the non profitability of the management of this structure (its survival was based essential on the covering of the cost of the personnel by the Collectivité), he did not show any serious interest in it, he had given up its direction, but has preferred to deal with the port that has a much more favourable financial standing. Today when he says that he rejoices because he has been able to effectively carry out one of his mandates, permit us to truly doubt this.
He also announced after the decision of the Council that “he is proud of St-Martin”, permit us here again to be shocked by such a statement, because if he is only proud of St-Martin because SCN LAVALIN has been preferred, then the people of St-Martin is in their rights to question his commitment to honestly serve the country and its people. True committed leaders and genuine lovers of St-Martin and its people, are proud of their country and people through thick and thin. They labour and strive constantly and restlessly to make sure that the entire population remains proud of the country.
He stated also that for once in a very long time a bid was decided upon “in all transparency”; knowing that as 1st vice-president, as leading member of the majority for more than 3 years, head of the port authority, etc.. he has been part of all the bidding processes, commissions and decisions what must be concluded by this declaration? Were you part of a series of non transparent, so illegal and fraudlous bids?
Talking of SNC LAVALIN M. GIBBS states: “the company WILL demonstrate to St-Martin a world-class ‘savoir-faire’”; with such a statement, one must ask himself: who is it who is talking? Because these are surely words that would normally be uttered by the winning bidder, words that would seem normal coming from the company’s representatives, but surely not words that would be expected from a leading member of the local government (D. GIBBS is 1st vice-president of the Collectivité), or of a councilman part of the legal body (the Territorial Council) who had just validated the choice of the winning bidder.
When in his statement M. GIBBS announces again: “ … now we have the opportunity under this company’s proven experience and worldwide reputation, to see the future in terms of real long term development.”; he must be reminded that in the bidding process there was a schedule of conditions (cahier des charges) established by the Collectivité, that clearly stipulated in advance what all of the candidate-bidders had to respect and commit themselves to do in terms of investments and development (extension of runway of 300 m; development of airport terminal and other facilities, ect..). The winning bidder cannot do what he wants or like he has to respect the conditions and the investment schedule defined in his contract.
These statements are troubling, coming in the light of what is no secret to anyone, M. GIBBS’ public support, his constant lobbying, his clear preference and even the fact that he appears often as being an unofficial spokesperson for a private group of investors (JUTRAS) who are interested in developing the Marigot water front and the Galisbay port; group in which the parent company (SLC LAVALIN) of the company retained for the Grand-Case Airport (SNC LAVALIN) is a partner.
Even if we wish to put these statements and his attitude as the results of his naïveté his lack of experience and burning desire to get political mileage for the up coming Territorial elections of 2012, there is a posture and there are ethical values that must prevail. Putting all of these elements in perspective, these statements and attitudes can spread suspicion, give to any observer a scent of collusion, and even make believe that the choice of SNC LAVALIN over SEMSAMAR was tinted.
When we know the mistrust in politicians by a large part of the population who often considers that “they are all corrupted”, “they are only in it for what they can get”, it is important that we make sure that we do what is necessary and needed to be irreproachable.
In the last few months and years on both sides of the island there have been situations and decisions that have brought discredit to politics and have tarnished the credibility of governments and elected representatives.
The group RRR wishes to sound an alarm and to remind all politicians including Mr GIBBS that looking for political mileage in each and every situation can have a boomerang effect. Working in all transparency and independence, being credible and honest in all that is said and done are our best tools to regain respect in the people’s eyes. We need to prove that there are still ethics in politics.
Alain RICHARDSON
Leader of the Group RRR
