PHILIPSBURG--Amongst the projects for which nine million guilders financing was agreed by Dutch funding agency USONA are one aimed at strengthening government’s Legal Affairs Department, the installation of a conveyer system for sensitive documents, and a new version of the Youth Social Formation programme.
Leader of Government Commissioner William Marlin signed the contracts with USONA yesterday, Wednesday. He said that in improving government’s capacity as far as legal support was concerned, emphasis in strengthening its Legal Affairs Department would be placed on preparing the necessary legislation for St. Maarten as a country.
This NAf. 2.4 million project will have a duration of 21 months. Marlin said legal experts would be brought in for a short period to help jumpstart the process. Thereafter, four recent graduates will be recruited for the long haul. He said part of the project in its totality would be to upgrade and train policy advisors in Country St. Maarten.
He also elaborated on the installation of a conveyer system in the form of vials designed to ensure security in the transport of sensitive documents from one government department to another. This system will be installed over a one-year period at a cost of NAf. 670,000.
Last, he introduced the execution of the newer version of the Youth Social Formation programme, which caters to school dropouts not equipped with a trade or the skills to obtain a job. He explained that the programme would not be attached to any one institution. Courses and trainings will be provided by a number of facilitators. This three-year project at a cost of NAf. 1.6 million will target youngsters 16-24 years.
