That the continuation of a meeting of Parliament’s Committee for Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure VROMI on government’s Spatial Development Strategy had to be cancelled a second time (see Monday paper) was not just regrettable but downright shameful. Committee chairman Chanel Brownbill apparently arrived late last Friday.
So did various other members, prompting acting chair William Marlin to close the proceedings for lack of a quorum. VROMI Minister Egbert Doran had been present as promised but to no avail.
This is an important and rather urgent matter, especially considering a presentation on the risks of irresponsible excavation of hillsides to the committee by French geotechnical engineer Julien Ripert of AerobatX BV since June 17, 2022. He showed examples of potential land- and rock-slide threats in Cole Bay, Simpson Bay, Madame Estate and Point Blanche.
Doran is yet to respond to related concerns as requested and the hope was that he would now comply. However, because several legislators failed to be present at the scheduled hour of 10:00am and in some cases even after waiting 30 minutes, the public is once again forced to remain in suspense.
Being a parliamentarian is not a part- but rather full-time job. Considering that there are also so-called non-meeting weeks, one can at least expect well-paid politicians to show up for work.
Meanwhile, according to a report in today’s edition, the ministry will be hosting information sessions on May 11 and 16 about the new building code and related national decree for architects, civil engineers and contractors. They may thus get answers before the people’s elected representatives.
If so, the latter have only themselves to blame.
