The people need answers now
PHILIPSBURG:--- A continuation of Central Committee meeting of the Princess Julianna International Airport scheduled on Friday 3, August, 2018, to discuss the reconstruction status, was postponed reportedly due to a ‘double booking’ made by Honorably Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Traffic and Telecommunica-tion Mr. Stuart Johnson. Minister Johnson previously made a confirmation (IS 793/17-18, July 26, 2018) to attend the requested Central Committee meeting via email to Parliament’s administration.
After Member of Parliament Egbert Jurendy Doran was informed about the postponement coming less than 24 hours prior to the continuation of the Central Committee meeting, he said, “This is unacceptable that for the ‘Umpteenth time’ meetings are being postponed due to “lack of availability” of the concerned Minister or Ministers.”
MP Doran further stated that the people deserve more from the government especially as far as it pertains to the reconstruction process and the affects it will have on the people.”
“This Central Committee meeting was a missed opportunity for the government to present to the people of St. Maarten the progress made in the reconstruction phase of the airport” stated the Member of Par-liament.
He further believes it is of utmost importance to note that the Prime Minister and every other Minister in this country has a replacement in the event of their absence. This was also clearly stated by the Prime Min-ister directly after the swearing of the Council of Ministers when referring to the “vervangingsregeling” (Replacement Law) and outlined which Ministers replace each other in the event of absence, and there-fore, postponing meetings or any other activity due to unavailability of a Minister is rather unacceptable, as an explanation should also follow as to why said Minister will not be replaced.
The Member of Parliament stated that lately the postponement of meetings in Parliament due to the una-vailability of Ministers has increased and Parliament as well as the people of this country who are looking for certain services need to know the reason for this.
The Airport, which is our main port to the world, is also one of Sint Maarten’s main source of income which the people depend heavily upon.
MP Doran stated “Having the PJIA up and running as soon as possible is one of the main projects Govern-ment must expedite, therefore postponing meetings where the people of this country are deprived of in-formation and answers, is not exactly what is expected of our government, and we demand to see a bet-terment in this behavior rather sooner than later”
