The continued lack of much-needed repairs to Back Street (see related story) is becoming a downright disgrace. Any motorist who drives over that street will confirm its condition is disastrous in certain sections to the extent one has to fear damage to one’s vehicle, never mind bus drivers and others who are forced to pass through there several times on a daily basis.
Normally this falls under the Ministry of Public Housing, Spatial Development and Infrastructure VROMI, but it was made part of a Philipsburg improvement and beautification project of the Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transportation and Telecommunication (TEATT) Ministry. Ground was symbolically broken by TEATT Minister Ingrid Arrindell and then-independent parliamentarian who nominated her Silvio Matser on Thursday, September 22, in the presence of Prime Minister William Marlin.
Work would begin that weekend, they stated at the time, more than two months ago. The money was to be advanced by the Port of St. Maarten, but management now says it will await the pending installation of a new Cabinet.
Meanwhile, the downtown area is becoming ever busier as the holiday period kicks in. The upgrading of Back Street is to take three to four months, weather permitting, which basically means the entire job will have to be done during the height of the tourist season, hardly the most desirable scenario.
Nevertheless, the situation has gotten so bad urgent action can be delayed no longer, whatever the current hold-up regarding apparently half-baked agreements made. Government must assume its responsibility in this matter once and for all.
