Toll fees or Road Fund may have to be paid – PM Marlin.
PHILIPSBURG: --- Prime Minister William Marlin announced at the weekly press briefing on Wednesday that his government is making strides and that they are working on several projects to improve the financial, economic and environmental situation that exists on the island.
Marlin said some Chinese investors are interested in improving the road infrastructure on St. Maarten, one being the construction of the tunnel to better facilitate the users of the causeway. He said the government of St. Maarten would not have to make any investments, neither will they have to sign any agreements. However, the investors will use funds from the Belt Road funding and government will grant a concession. The investors he said could either regain their investments through the implementation of a Toll Fee of the establishment of a Road Fund.
Marlin said that he specifically told the Chinese investors not to look at the tunnel alone but to look into constructing more roads based on the infrastructure plans that government has in place.
VIDENOVA Investment for Affordable Homes.
The Prime Minister also applauded the Minister of VROMI for convincing VIDENOVA to invest in affordable homes on St. Maarten. Marlin said VIDENOVA will not be making any profit from the investments they make on St. Maarten, however, they are simply making the investments to assist the country since they are collecting pension funds from companies in St. Maarten such as GEBE and TELEM. The Prime Minister said that while the Minister of VROMI is young he has been working on several projects that will improve the living conditions on St. Maarten.
He also shared the same sentiments made by Minister of VROMI Christopher Emmanuel on the dump fires which diminished 3 months now. Both Marlin and Emmanuel said that they conducted an investigation which showed that the fires were man-made and as such the security on the dump was re-enforced while those responsible for setting the fires will face the fullest extent of the law.
Marlin said a permanent solution will take about two and half years before it is realized, however, as a government they took all the necessary measures to offset the fires and provide more machinery on the dump site in the interim.
Forensic Investigation on ICT issues completed.
As for the ICT issues the government of St. Maarten have been facing these past months the Prime Minister said that government had a forensic investigation conducted to determine the exact causes. He said while the investigation has been completed, government is now waiting on the report prior to taking action.
Marlin said he is not downplaying the ICT issues on St. Maarten but indicated that several countries including the Netherlands had to deal with ICT problems due to the Wanna cry Ransomware.
He said the ICT issues on St. Maarten affected the finance department as they are busy with the 2018 budget.
The Prime Minister went on to explain that he is happy with the team he is working with because even the pension age they increased from 60 to 62 and soon it will be 65. He said this has to be done to secure the pension funds.
Marlin said government is busy working on a legislation to increase the age for people on the Councils of State because due to the age limit St. Maarten is running of its experts and since these people could work longer as they are living longer he sees no reason not to amend the law on the high council of states.
Marlin to lead delegation for hearing on the Establishment of Integrity Chamber and Quartermaster.
Prime Minister William Marlin will be leaving the island with a delegation to attend the hearing on the establishment of the Integrity Chamber on St. Maarten and the appointment of a Quartermaster. Marlin said he will depart St. Maarten on July 4th while the hearing will be held on July 6th and possible on July 7th.
The hearing Marlin said stemmed from a complaint St. Maarten filed against the Dutch Government for imposing their will on appointing a Quartermaster for the Integrity Chamber while the Constitutional Court ruled against it.
Marlin to lead the delegation for hearing on the Establishment of Integrity Chamber and Quartermaster.
Prime Minister William Marlin will be leaving the island with a delegation to attend the hearing on the establishment of the Integrity Chamber on St. Maarten and the appointment of a Quartermaster. Marlin said he will depart St. Maarten on July 4th while the hearing will be held on July 6th and possible on July 7th.
The hearing Marlin said stemmed from a complaint St. Maarten filed against the Dutch Government for imposing their will on appointing a Quartermaster for the Integrity Chamber while the Constitutional Court ruled against it.