PHILIPSBURG--The Inspectorate of Public Health control team has been ordered to stop raids of businesses until further notice. The Council of Ministers (CoM) decided this after reports surfaced of misconduct by the team during a raid at Sonseta Maho on Wednesday, where the Point restaurant was closed down by inspectors of Public Health for several violations.
Prime Minister William Marlin and Minister of Finance Richard Gibson made the announcement on Friday evening that there will be no more raids until a full report is given about the way the control team is conducting these raids. Marlin also said that he heard that an employee was shackled in front of guests at the hotel and this should not be.
“The Council of Ministers has been receiving emails from Sonesta group about the raid that took place and we have taken note of what was told to us,” said Marlin.
Recently, Inspector General Dr. Earl Best, in an invited comment to this newspaper had said that inspectors found pest infestation as well as a sewage pit in the middle of the kitchen which emits a foul odour at the Point restaurant at the Sonesta Maho Beach Resort and Casino, and he doubted whether the establishment will be reopened by Monday. On Friday evening the restaurant served dinner and resumed operations.
Also part of the control were Social and Health Insurances SZV, the Fire Department, the Inspectorate’s Labour arm and the Immigration Department. Best had said there were no labour infractions. He had also said the Inspectorate will continue with its random controls as part of its zero tolerance policy.
No word has been received yet on when the Health Inspectorate team controls will resume.
