PHILIPSBURG--The General Audit Chamber is one of the key institutions that have to be in place for country St. Maarten, scheduled to be born on October 10.

The National Alliance (NA)-led government continues to seek support from the Dutch with setting up some vital institutions. Government has maintained since taking office in June 2009 that, unlike Curaçao, St. Maarten will need all the help it can get. Curaçao will inherit much of the Central Government framework and infrastructure, while St. Maarten has to build its own from scratch.

A delegation from the General Audit Chamber met with the Executive Council and Island Council on Thursday. The delegation outlined how it functions and in what way it can assist the island in putting in place its General Audit Chamber.

The organic law regulating the Audit Chamber, its secretariat and related areas is still to be presented for review in the Central Committee and approval in the Island Council.

NA Island Council members Rodolphe Samuel and George Pantophlet and Democratic Party's (DP's) Roy Marlin and Leroy de Weever were present for the meeting with the Dutch Audit Chamber. Commissioner Hyacinth Richardson (NA) was part of the meeting for a short time. Council Chairman Lt. Governor Franklyn Richards chaired the meeting in Dr. A.C. Wathey Legislative Hall.

DP Island Councilwomen Sarah Wescot-Williams and Maria Buncamper-Molanus were absent with notice from the meeting.