PHILIPSBURG--St. Maarten could get assistance in the way of financing options or expertise for a new/upgraded hospital as long as the business plan is viable, said Dutch Minister for Interior Affairs and Kingdom Relations Ronald Plasterk.
The visiting minister said at a joint press conference on Tuesday with Prime Minister William Marlin in A.C. Wathey Legislative Hall that he was impressed with Public Health Minister Emil Lee and his outlook for a new hospital. If help is needed, Plasterk said the Dutch Government will give it. Good health for the people of the country is paramount, especially now with the Zika epidemic, he said.
Collaboration and cooperation of St. Maarten with Dutch Public Entities of Saba and St. Eustatius on an economic front was welcomed by Plasterk. He commended Economic Affairs Minister Irania Arrindell’s plans to further link with the two islands via a high speed ferry and expand routes of Windward Islands Airways International Winair. The connections will make the islands better targets for tourists from around the world.
On the pending dispute regulation, Plasterk said he hopes there will be some agreement among the partner governments of the Kingdom on moving the matter forward. He is especially interested in hearing from the Government on the proposal he had put forward some time ago.
Asked about Curaçao’s query about the final figure in the division of assets and liabilities of the former Netherlands Antilles, Plasterk said it is an issue St. Maarten and Curaçao should sort out and not allow the matter to remain unresolved and pending. The Dutch Government, via Saba and St. Eustatius, is also a beneficiary of the assets division.
Plasterk is on a working visit to the three Dutch Windward Islands that ends today, Wednesday. His working day on St. Maarten comprised an introductory meeting with the Council of Ministers and a visit to Dr. A.C. Wathey Cruise and Cargo Facilities where he was enlightened about the importance of that entity to the country’s overall economic growth.
He also met with the Presidium of Parliament comprising of the three chairpersons: Members of Parliament Sarah Wescot-Williams, George Pantophlet and Frans Richardson.
In the afternoon, he met with Marlin, Finance Minister Richard Gibson and recently appointed Justice Minister Edson Kirindongo about several ongoing and pending matters.
Marlin told the press at the start of the press conference that the meetings were “short and to the point.” Similarly, Plasterk described them as “fruitful” and expressed his hope for “good collaboration” with the Government even though it is an election year.
The matter of the establishment of the integrity chamber for the country has been put on hold pending the verdict of the Constitutional Court, said Marlin. Following that verdict, the way forward will be ironed out.
The draft 2016 budget is in a similar position. The draft budget is with Parliament and the advice of the Committee for Financial Supervision CFT is awaited by the Dutch Government before any other comments are made, said Marlin.
Support for St. Maarten’s justice system was raised by Kirindongo with Plasterk. Marlin said he had some “issues with the allocations” of the promised funds.
Marlin said Plasterk “pledged” support and offered cooperation with Government in this short governing period. Snap elections are slated for September 26.
