UD MP Sarah Wescot-Williams.
PHILIPSBURG--United Democrats (UD) Member of Parliament (MP) Sarah Wescot-Williams said on Monday that dialogue between Parliament and government is urgently needed.
Wescot-Williams said she has shared her concerns with Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs regarding the food delivery and distribution that is currently in place. Wescot-Williams has been clamouring for parliamentary briefings by the PM, “which were promised from the get-go.” She said a briefing is now set for this Wednesday.
The MP has also been pushing for the official submission of government’s stimulus plan to Parliament. “Last week it was promised on Friday, then it became Monday. Why a plan that was shared with CFT (Committee for Financial Supervision) and the Netherlands can’t be shared with the Parliament is anyone’s guess,” Wescot-Williams said.
Finance Minister Ardwell Irion said the plan was supposed to have been submitted to Parliament on Monday.
The UD MP has also not received a response to queries made to the Justice Minister regarding whether the postponement of the meeting to handle the laws required to be in compliance with the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) really means that the deadline for St. Maarten has been extended.
“As a Member of Parliament, I am torn between not wanting to ‘get in the way’ of government in this crisis, yet at the same time I have a responsibility towards the people of St. Maarten,” Wescot-Williams said. “Yes, the Prime Minister did advise persons to stock up for two weeks etc., but the reality on the ground is different. How many persons can actually do so? All in all, I think a serious dialogue between government and Parliament is urgently needed,” she noted.
