Theo: Back Street project
approved in 2007 budget
PHILIPSBURG--Funding for the Back Street Beautification Project is outlined in the 2007 Island Budget approved by the Island Council earlier this month, Economic Affairs and Tourism Commissioner Theo Heyliger said Monday.
This was his response to People’s Progressive Alliance (PPA) leader Councilwoman Gracita Arrindell’s claim that the NAf. 5 million project was illegal, as no approval from the Island Council had been sought for it. She relayed her concerns to Chairman of the Island Council Lt. Governor Franklyn Richards in a letter and has threatened to take the matter to court.
Heyliger said that while Arrindell was misguided in her questioning, “She is at least consistent. She is consistently against every project undertaken by the Democratic Party Government. She is against every project that is for the betterment of the people. She was against the Boardwalk and the Front Street Beautification, and this is no different.”
The project was awarded to contractor Windward Roads Infrastructure N.V. based on pre-financing terms and guidelines in SAAB, the Standard General Administrative Conditions for works executed within the framework of the Multi-Annual Plan Netherlands Antilles and other government projects, he added.
All contracts related to the project and other documents were received by Arrindell along with a copy of the 2007 Island Budget, Heyliger said.
Arrindell had requested and received a copy of the December 15 financial agreement with Windward Roads during consideration of the 2007 budget. And, according to that agreement, the contract for the execution of the beautification project had been entered into, “subject to the approval of the Island Council.”
Under the agreement, the Island Government also “irrevocably” committed itself to pay the contractor, “subject to approval of the Island Council of St. Maarten.”
Arrindell is contending that neither the NAf. 5 million contract nor the payment agreement has been approved by the Island Council, as had been the case with approval for the new Government Administration Building.
In his comments Monday, Heyliger said that when contractors had been paid directly by St. Maarten Ports Authority (SMPA) for beautification projects in the past, there had been claims that “something sinister was going on.” He continued: “Now, the harbour is required to pay a concession fee and this money is allocated in the budget for specific projects, yet there are questions.”
Arrindell is demanding stoppage of the project and said she would consider taking the matter to court if the Lt. Governor was “unwilling or unable” to comply with this request within five business days.
She told The Daily Herald Monday that she was not against the Back Street Beautification project, but the Lt. Governor and the Democratic Party Executive Council must adhere strictly to the laws of the land in accordance with the requirements of good governance.
St Maarten vacation rental
