PHILIPSBURG--Hurricane Irma inflicted severe damage to the monuments in the country, Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports Affairs (ECYS) Wycliffe Smith told Members of Parliament (MPs), during a meeting of the Central Committee of Parliament on Friday.
“The damage to the monuments was very severe,” Smith said. Those damaged included the “Apon house,” Pasanggrahan Royal Guesthouse, the property at Back Street #28 (close to the Anglican Church) and Fort Amsterdam. A number of monuments were also completely destroyed, including the Chapel in Simpson Bay and the property at Front Street #134.
A total of 50 monuments are on the official monument list in the country, which were all constructed more than 50 years ago.
Smith told MPS that while some monuments were insured, many, in particular residential properties, were not insured due to high insurance rates.
He said requests had been submitted to the World Bank for funding. However, this is not considered a priority in the restoration list and no funds are allotted for repairs of the monuments. The ECYS Ministry is seeking the assistance of a technical advisor to review the possibilities of international funding via possible soft loans.
