PHILIPSBURG--Finance Minister Perry Geerlings said the suggestion from United Democrats (UD) Member of Parliament (MP) Sidharth “Cookie” Bijlani to rent the Kwik Bargains building on Bush Road to house the Parliament building and help save cost is "a good idea.”
Bijlani made the suggestion during the budget debate on Wednesday. He said, “Currently, we are renting this parliament building and I believe the lease is on yearly basis. Minister, can you explore the possibilities to move into Kwik Bargains on Bush Road or any other suitable location until we have our own parliament? This might save a lot of rental expense.
“Also, I see some NAf. 300,000 in capital expenditure for preparatory work of new parliament. Are we really thinking to start the work in this year? I would suggest if nothing has started yet, then put it in the 2020 budget. This NAf. 300,000 can be used for something better, like feeding the children pilot project, if possible.”
In response, Geerlings said on Thursday that this is “a good idea. … The parliament building is one of the most expensive rented properties used by government and, of course, [with the Kwik Bargains building there] is a good opportunity for cost-cutting because the [current parliament] building costs around NAf. 750,000 per year.”
Geerlings proposed that MPs discuss the matter and said he is open “for any suggestion that can help us to cut cost. So, I would look forward to a response from parliament on this one.”
