The appointment of Marcel Gumbs on the Steering Committee of the Recovery Trust Fund (see related story) is a solid choice. Together with one representative each of the Netherlands and the Wold Bank he will be calling the final shots on recovery and resilience projects to be financed with 470 million euros (about US $580 million) provided by the Dutch government over the next seven years.
Gumbs’ career in politics and public service spans more than three decades, in both the legislative and executive branches. He was a member of the former Antillean Parliament for many years as well as state secretary (junior minister) in the no-longer existent Central Government in Willemstad.
Gumbs became St. Maarten’s second prime minister in December 2014 and held that position until November 2015. Before that he had been on the country’s Council of Advice too.
His wealth of experience should be of great assistance in dealing with this crucial issue for the island’s future. What’s more, he functioned as liaison with the French side, which is important because the intention is to tackle especially the garbage processing crisis jointly.
Anybody aware of recent developments at the Philipsburg landfill and nearby Hurricane Irma “baby dump” will appreciate the urgency of the latter. A structural solution is clearly needed, but considering the current health and environmental hazard, it can’t wait much longer.
That is also the reason assistance with this matter was selected as one of three emergency projects making use of the first tranche of money transferred to the fund. A budget of $15 million has been earmarked for this effort that is to include the clearing of boat wrecks and processing hurricane debris as well as help with preventing new fires and making a sustainable plan for solid waste management.
Hopefully, Prime Minister Leona Romeo-Marlin and Gumbs can get the ball rolling quickly while in Washington on June 12. There is simply no time to lose.
