Christophe Emmanuel.
PHILIPSBURG--National Alliance (NA) Member of Parliament (MP) Christophe Emmanuel on Monday voiced his concern and disappointment with the previous United Democrats/St. Maarten Christian Party (UD/SMCP) coalition government for not following through with his roof repair project that was approved by the then-NA-led Council of Ministers in January 2018.
Emmanuel said in a press release that he plans to pick up where he left off in January 2018 and bring “much-needed relief with the fixing of roofs and homes of the people of St. Maarten.
“It is evident by the recent report of the Ombudsman, which not only confirms the MP’s concerns but also stated that the previous UD/SMCP-led government has done absolutely nothing to assist the people of St. Maarten with the necessary repairs of their homes. Despite the National Alliance government just recently taking office, with the initiative of MP Emmanuel, the current government is not only looking into this matter, but Emmanuel himself is looking into ways to advise government in launching a follow-up programme considering the dire need. As a result, MP Emmanuel is urging those in need, not to lose faith as a follow-up programme will be implemented shortly,” it was stated in the release.
He said the then NA-led coalition, with Emmanuel then serving as Minister of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure VROMI, left an approved roof repair programme behind to repair 150 damaged homes. “There was a total of 500 plus homes that were selected to be repaired in phases, according to the then government’s criteria, of which the first 150 homes were the first group identified. The UD/SMCP government in March 2018 put the project aside for reasons of arrogance, as it was an initiative from the then-former Minister of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure, MP Emmanuel,” it was stated in the press release.
“The project that was placed on public tender complied with all procedures and was on its way to the governor for final approval by the signing of a national decree when government fell.”
Emmanuel said “it is a blatant shame” to see that the previous UD/SMCP government had only managed to repair seven homes that were handpicked to benefit friends and family.
