Interested in Aruba’s Approach to Integrated Neighborhood Development
During her visit to Aruba, the Prime Minister of St. Maarten the Honorable Sarah Wescot-Williams met both with her Aruban counterpart Prime Minister Mike Oduber and Aruban Minister of Infrastructure Sevinger. The two meetings were held in order to discuss various matters of importance to the two countries.
During their meeting both Prime Ministers discussed the state of affairs in their respective countries, particularly the financial-economic statuses of the 2 countries and events in the Dutch Kingdom in general.
The Prime Minister also visited the Aruban Minister for Infrastructure, Mr. Sevinger. The Visit was prompted by the PM’s interest in Aruba’s approach to Integrated Neighborhood Development, an approach that the St. Maarten government has embraced as a focal point of its own governing program and actions.
This approach not only encompasses the physical upgrades of neighborhoods, but also the more social elements and services, hence the St. Maarten Integrated Neighborhood Development Plan. Ongoing activities, in addition to the infrastructural projects include the Community Help Desks, the District Service Centers and related projects, including the Community Police.
Community participation has been recently encouraged in the various Integrated Neighborhood Development Plans through the holding of various "town hall" meetings and general education programs.