PHILIPSBURG:--- At least three controllers from the department of Economic Affairs will be fired based on an advice sent to the Department of Personnel Affairs (PNO). SMN News learnt from some of the vendors that are in possession of their business permits that they are not allowed to work in peace and while they have taxes and other bills to pay they are subjected to "bribe" at least two controllers from Economic Affairs, including the department head Franklin Cuffy who is also under investigation for other illegal and immoral activities.
One of the vendors told SMN News that he decided to stop giving these government workers bribes when he is operating legally on the beach. The man who hails from St. Kitts said that he was forced to pay $400.00 per month to these government workers in order for him to work peacefully and since the season is very slow he decided that he will not continue. The businessman said that when he took that decision all "hell" break loose because economic affairs controllers refused to allow him to work. He said that he then went to the Department of Economic Affairs and filed an official complaint against the controllers.
A senior worker at the department of Economic Affairs confirmed to SMN News on Thursday that they received several complaints and they did their investigation and sent an advice to PNO where the intention is to fire the workers, however, they have not heard anything from PNO and are now wondering if the three controllers will remain on the job to continue harassing people for monies. The senior worker said that section head is somewhat new to St. Maarten and it does not seem as though he knows how to act swiftly on such cases. However, he did say that the complaints filed by the vendors were investigated and the department is busy working on getting those workers relieved.
