The Dutch Audit Chamber minced no words in its focus investigation on assistance from the Netherlands to St. Maarten after the devastating passage of Hurricane Irma (see related story), concluding that a year later little money had been spent and few tangible results were achieved. The lack of local expertise and personnel capacity are said to be the main reasons.
But the latter should be no huge surprise, considering the size of the autonomous country within the kingdom, a constitutional status that was attained only eight years ago. Greatly expanding government’s administration and payroll to add human resources especially in these trying socioeconomic times is tricky, to say the least.
One can also understand a certain degree of caution about bringing in so many highly paid consultants and advisors that too much of the financial means would end up going to them rather than the reconstruction effort.
The report did mention concerns about the World Bank’s managing of the Trust Fund, with strict, complex tender procedures seen as cumbersome. Many contractors and other providers on the island may find it hard to qualify, with as risk that a big part of the work could go to outsiders.
Effectively addressing these issues and speeding up the process remains an absolute priority. However, it must be done in a responsible manner which also takes into account the physical and other limitations of a relatively small community.
The audit chamber acknowledged this “difficult dilemma” between accountability and urgency. It is indeed a delicate balance.
