Parliament today continues its debate on “the lack of approval of various programmes that can be beneficial to the economic reform and growth.” The second agenda point is a report by the General Audit Chamber regarding the “Reconstruction Funds for St. Maarten.”
The fact that close to a full month has passed since the plenary session was adjourned might be seen by some as not giving this matter priority. However, it regards the World Bank that manages the Dutch-sponsored post-Hurricane Irma Trust Fund, its Steering Group and executing entity the National Recovery Programme Bureau (NRPB) too.
The general feeling by now is that tangible achievements when it comes to spending the hundreds of millions made available to “build back better” the country have been fairly limited and slow in coming, This has to do with World Bank procurement rules and tendering procedures, but also lack of local capacity and specialised knowledge, both within and outside of government.
The result is that boat wrecks are still lying in and around Simpson Bay Lagoon three years later, while a relatively small number of damaged homes have so far been fixed. Even the airport and hospital projects in which the Trust Fund is involved as well seem to be taking too long, according to many.
However, rather than dwell on the recent past, elected representatives and Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs who was expected to be present would do well to focus on the near future. The important question is not who is to blame for the current shortcomings, but what can be done to help improve and accelerate matters so the impact of using these means may be more widespread and immediate.
As the country threatens to run out of money unless additional financing from the Netherlands or elsewhere can be obtained, it seems cruel that so much money destined for the recovery from devastating Irma that was ongoing when the coronavirus-related crisis hit is “just sitting there.” All parties concerned are again urged to take a determined and constructive yet creative approach to overcome whatever obstacles are making this undoubtedly well-meant assistance less effective than hoped.
