PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Finance Ardwell Irion said on Wednesday that St. Maarten is still in discussions with the Dutch Government as he is working to secure the second tranche of liquidity support.
Irion said that even though his statements in parliament were taken out of context by some people, the money will run out by end of October if the funds are not received.
The Minister of Finance further explained that while there is a systematic government in St. Maarten his government has taken the bull by its horns by cleaning up the civil service and also pulling up the hand brakes on the use of government phones.
Prime Minister of Silveria Jacobs also added that St. Maarten never stopped the discussions however, it is the Dutch State Secretary Raymond Knops who halted talks with the overseas countries, St. Maarten, Aruba, and Curacao. Jacobs said Knops already said his actions are based on a decision taken by the Kingdom Council of Ministers. Jacobs further explained St. Maarten is working with Curacao and Aruba on how to move forward.
She admitted that the governmental system is carbon copied from the Netherlands while St. Maarten had a further set back with the number of elections held within the first ten years.
St. Maarten’s Prime Minister explained that St. Maarten is working on cleaning up however, this will take time since a number of legislations have to be amended. “to increase the minimum wage and to decrease the cost of living for example with require changes in the legislation.” Jacobs assured that her government is committed to making the necessary decisions and taking tough decisions to better improve the way of life on St. Maarten.
