Dear Editor,
Hurricane Irma and the other storms that followed brought lots of destruction and misery with them and for some, far more than others. However, just as the sun shines after the clouds dissipate, opportunities for development and progress can be sown and reaped, with some in relatively short time.
Our present focus however, is rebuilding of our country. Funds for humanitarian aid must be disbursed expeditiously. We all know that conditions are attached for receiving aid. However, the practice of giving aid and setting funds aside for disasters to assist developing and under-developed countries is one that has been taken up in budgets of all the developed nations to assist the developing and under-developed countries with their recovery. Conditions for disbursement of aid, financial or otherwise, were always prerequisites for qualification.
However, having an Integrity Chamber was never one of the conditions from any of the donor countries as far as I know. I see no problem with having an Integrity Chamber for St. Maarten and border control is a no-brainer in my book. Holland, again in my opinion, may not impose what I consider to be unjust and biased conditions on St. Maarten Government in order for St. Maarten to receive aid.
If it is to be that St. Maarten has an Integrity Chamber, then included in the conditions to establish such should be that the other partners in the Kingdom also have such an institution established post-haste and with a binding start-up date. This condition should entail immediate dismantling of the local chapter if this condition is not met by all the other partners.
Having said this, I move on to my contribution in the recovery of our nation. I presented a plan on the construction of a breakwater and boardwalk for the Maho Beach area. Benefit of this is that we have a better road infrastructure and safer enjoyment of one of the top world attractions. This plan should be included in the reconstruction plans for St. Maarten, as it contributes to our economy.
In my presentation, I proposed for the airport and harbor to bear the cost, as they are the source of entry and as such should contribute to the overall safety and beauty enhancement of our destination. However, these institutions have also experienced damage, as well as loss of revenue, and therefore cannot reasonably be expected to contribute to this project.
So my question is, if studied and found viable, can my concept be included in the National Recovery Plan?
We also have issues with large and deep water puddles on the roads. An engineer once told me that soak-away wells can be drilled for the water to drain into. Maybe this is worthwhile looking into. If found possible, this project will be a very affordable way of solving a major road problem in St. Maarten.
On the subject first mentioned at the beginning of my article on “Opportunities for development and progress can be sown and reaped, with some in relatively short time.” I want to present what I consider to be one of those opportunities I see for Government to capitalize on: St. Maarten National Lottery.
If what schoolchildren say is correct, then we lost the biggest lottery company of the island. This is a perfect opportunity to introduce a national lottery, which will bring money in Government coffers for development projects, as well as job opportunity for many. This can be done in less than 9 months and with complete transparency.
A Canadian Government-approved company which manages the National Lottery for Aruba offered to manage or set a lottery company up for Government. The control entails immediate transfer of sales information to the Tax Department. This means that the Tax Inspectorate is aware of the exact lottery sale amount at all times. This also means job opportunities, revenue for Government and development funds for our communities.
There is a saying that says: There is no bad that for good will not come. And I see a lot of good that can come out of this bad Hurricane Irma did to us. So if it is good, then let us just do it.
Louis R. Engel
