NA request meeting on latest
developments in TelEm
PHILIPSBURG--National Alliance (NA) has submitted a request for a public meeting of the Island Council to discuss “The recent developments in TelEm Group of Companies.”
NA Councilmen William Marlin and Frans Richardson submitted the request on Wednesday. Lt. Governor Franklyn Richards has to convene the meeting within eight days, next week Wednesday at the latest.
Marlin had announced during Wednesday’s public meeting that NA would request a separate meeting on TelEm. This had to do with statements of Commissioner of Telecommunication Maria Buncamper-Molanus indicating that she would be dealing with the corruption within the TelEm from top to bottom.
Marlin said NA wanted to hear from the Commissioner specifically what type of corruption there was. The party also wants to know what she has done so far about the corruption. “Has she made the shareholder’s representative aware of the corruption going on and, if nothing has been done, has she made the Prosecutor aware of the fraudulent acts?” Marlin queried.
However, as Richards indicated in yesterday’s meeting after Buncamper-Molanus resigned, the Executive Council has to present a candidate for Commissioner in the next meeting of the Island Council that takes place.
Therefore, the meeting requested by the NA will also be to see whom the Democratic Party (DP) will present for the position of Commissioner. Based on the statement of DP leader Sarah Wescot-Williams that Buncamper-Molanus will be asked to reconsider her decision, the intention apparently is to present her again to take the oath as Commissioner.
However, as Commissioner Theo Heyliger is still off-island, the voting on Buncamper-Molanus becoming Commissioner again could end with five votes in favour and five against, meaning that she cannot take office. Therefore, it can be expected that DP will not help form a quorum for the meeting to take place.
