Dear Editor,

  I regularly read on social media that persons believe that other countries receive loans without conditions whilst we in Sint Maarten are challenged by onerous conditions of the Dutch aid.

  Not only is this not true but the conditions attached to loans and investments by many countries are the subject of interesting and devious sad histories that have dramatically impacted the lives of millions in developing countries.

  The stories typically start with a government requiring to cover deficits or obtain capital for a popular investment. The funds turn out to be available, but the conditions are often onerous and extensive. The government typically publicizes the loan, boasts to the population about the great things that will be achieved through the loan but strategically refrains from informing the public of the onerous conditions.

  Some years later when the investment projects do not produce or the deficit is not corrected by cost reductions the people get to find out that what they thought were investments that were owned by the people turn out to be taken back by the investors because the properties had been pledged under the previous loans. Famous examples are a major port in Sri Lanka and the airport in Zambia. The awareness of this happening has fortunately increased and there is a greater awareness of this happening.

  The transparency we enjoy in the Dutch Kingdom and the structure that avoids hidden debt and collateralization is a huge improvement on this often-experienced risk that has been seen in developing and deficit-challenged countries all over the world and certainly in the Caribbean.

Robbie Ferron

Dear Editor,

  It is so easy to spot someone who is genuine in nature, and it is such a joy to uncover this rare character. It does not matter if the island is calm or experiencing a calamity, this unsung hero makes it her duty to reach out to any and everybody.

  The magnitude of her intention is immeasurable. Nurtured with love and compassion, instinctively she lets the world sees her heart, by seizing every opportunity to display her true personality. Bonded by her passion and vision, one can detect that her values are connected to her mission.  

  Only someone who is kind to her inner self can experience such deep feeling of care and is willing to share with whoever seeks the support to be comforted. Over the years, this selfless act underlines the execution of her mission, as she continues to strive on the determination and hope to reduce drug addiction. 

  In the initial stage of the pandemic, she was the first person (to my knowledge) to come on air to advertise the services that are provided by the institution that she directs. This means that the welfare of the people dominates her mind, and like a caring mom, she pursues every possibility to preserve a healthy society.

  So, today I take this moment to salute the Interim Director of the Mental Health Foundation Ms. Eileen Healy – a true campaigner, whose soul yearns for a new facility that would greatly improve the needs of the entire community.

Joslyn Morton

Two weeks ago, we booked a holiday to Curaçao at Corendon from July 6. Air travel, car and a nice house at Livingstone Resort in Jan Thiel. How we had looked forward to this. Until today when we received an email that Livingstone is not open at all. I find it very misleading that there was no warning when booking that certain hotels may not be available due to the coronavirus.

  Corendon rebooks us to another hotel, which happens to be the Corendon Mangrove Beach Resort, of their own. Here they do not have a house or apartment, so we cannot get the same facilities as we had booked. Moreover, this hotel is not located in Jan Thiel, or in any other cozy place, but in a remote location, so we always have to go by car when we want to go somewhere. That this is an all-inclusive hotel is irrelevant to us. We do not like that at all. We like to eat somewhere different every day or to cook differently ourselves.

  If we want to go to a hotel or apartment other than this one, we must choose something from Corendon’s website and pay the additional cost. For something equivalent to what we initially booked, that comes to over 800 euros extra! And a trip to Curaçao during the holiday period is not that cheap.

  Another option is to cancel the trip free of charge and accept a voucher. But we certainly do not want that. We just want the vacation we booked and what we were looking forward to.

  Especially in these times when the travel industry is struggling, we did not expect information about the possibility of a closed hotel to be withheld. Then we would have given extra thought to whether we should book at the moment.

  Can they do it this way? What are our rights?

Marsha Koteris,

The Netherlands

Dear Editor,

  First I would like to say thanks for giving me the opportunity too clear the air concerning the shelters project, after reading The Daily Herald on Saturday, June 20, 2020, where it was mentioned there was a tender via NRPB [National Recovery Program Bureau – Ed.] for 4 shelters to be repaired, and Windward Roads was awarded to repair these shelters.

  Confident Construction BV was awarded 13 shelters through NRPB and the contract was signed between NRPB and CCBV on August 7, 2019. The period to complete these 13 Shelters was 2 months, when the bill of quantities was incomplete on the side of NRPB, in which a new BOQ quotation was submitted by CCBV.

  During the period of 2 months the project was delayed by the NRPB insurance consultant. He refused to accept the insurance policy the local insurance company provided. There were several discussions between the consultant and the local insurance, and at one point the consultant disappeared for two weeks and delayed communications and the project extremely. Without having the insurance in place, the World Bank would not approve for the contractor to commerce the works. This went on until the insurance that CCBV paid for at the time expired. 

  The first week of December 2019, CCBV decided to carry on works at 3 shelters, which includes 3 of the shelters that WWR now has been awarded. 

  On February 20, 2020, NRPB called an urgent meeting with CCBV, when CCBV nor the internal attorney of NRPB knew nothing about. During this meeting NRPB senior program manger in the presence of the director informed CCBV that the company breached the contract based on documentation, which was totally not the case, because CCBV had submitted all documents and even if CCBV was late to submit documents, CCBV would inform the supervising company ICE. In accordance to the contract CCBV hasn’t breached the contract, it’s because of emotions and misinformation from ICE, NRPB terminated (opzegging) the contract with CCBV and called it breach of contract, when NRPB has no legal ground to stand on!

  Furthermore, CCBV had a contract with NRPB to repair 14 private homes of which 2 homes still need two weeks to be completed, which is extra work and was stipulated in the contract. Because of the Corona lockdown CCBV was forced to stop works with the intention to continue after the Corona situation is over, but NRPB refused for CCBV to continue, even though NRPB external supervising company advised NRPB to grant CCBV permission to continue the works for two weeks and complete the final touches of the two last homes. Besides, NRPB still owes CCBV monies for works that were executed and refused to pay the company up until today. 

  The bid of July 29, 2019, CCBV submitted the best price with all documentation for 150 homes repair project, but the contract was awarded to another company who didn’t complete its documentation. 

  It’s sad to say that NRPB has an agenda and prefers to award projects to WWR, LICCOM, BETON instead of local contractors who can do the job or even better. In my opinion the director of NRPB is not functioning and should pack bags and leave and should be replaced with someone who can handle the people of St. Maarten business.

Roberto I. Arrindell

Managing Director of CCBV