PHILIPSBURG--Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transportation and Telecommunication (TEATT) Mellissa Arrindell-Doncher dedicated several days last week to signing business licenses and clearing up what was described as a “significant part” of the backlog that has built up over the past few months.
The Minister, her Cabinet and Department Head of Economic Licenses Valya Lake-Pantophlet, drastically cut down a backlog that was built from late last year to present, the Ministry said.
Minister Arrindell-Doncher explained that due to the election period, the formation of the new Government and the delay in identifying a Minister of Tourism and Economic Affairs, the signing of business licenses slowed down.
“It was nothing intentional, but the workload of one Minister carrying multiple Ministries in the absence of another Minister contributed to the backlog, although we did what we could in the interim to get some signed off. Now, however, I thought it was vital that we took a few days and focus solely on getting these businesses going so they can contribute to our economy,” the Minister said.
Minister Arrindell-Doncher is off-island this week on personal matters and will clear the remaining backlog upon her return. She explained that what remains is a “very small amount compared to what was.”
The Minister complimented Lake-Pantophlet and the entire team of her department who had to take on the brunt of frustration form citizens waiting for their business license. “And this is totally understandable. Rest assured we will get to all the business licenses in very quick time. We ask for your continued patience as we eliminate this backlog,”Arrindell-Doncher said.
