Minister of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure (Ministry of VROMI) Hon. Maurice Lake and members of his Cabinet met with the Progress Committee last week with respect to developments at Ministry VROMI based on the plans of approach that were established for that ministry.
The general feeling is that the Plan of Approach for Ministry of VROMI might soon be finalized as much progress has been made.
The committee wanted to know when certain critical vacancies at the ministry will be filled, however Minister Lake explained that there are two perspectives on this. He explained that you have the plan of approach calling for the filling of critical vacancies and you have the Financial Supervisory Committee CFT saying no more hiring due to the financial situation.
"It’s like you’re in a Catch 22 position, but we are making progress despite the challenges. I am very pleased with what we have been able to achieve. Progress has been made with respect to the backlog in building permits.
"Where enforcement is concerned, the staff from the Ministry has received extra ordinary Police training via our Justice Academy so the committee was informed that this has been completed.
"The committee wanted to know how integrity issues are dealt with in the Ministry and an explanation was given. They were also informed about procedural processes within the Ministry as well as the tendering process with respect to the system that is used.
"I was very pleased with the outcome of the meeting," Minister Hon. Maurice Lake said on Tuesday.
The Progress Committee was established by Royal Decree to ensure that the agreements between the Netherlands, the Netherlands Antilles and the Island Territories of Curacao and Sint Maarten in regards to attainment of country status that the national tasks these new countries would receive are executed accordingly.
Members of the Progress Committee are: Ronald Bandell, Chairman; Richard Gibson Sr., member for Sint Maarten; Nico Schoof, member for the Netherlands; Gert-Jan Stortelers, secretary; and Terrance Rey, deputy secretary.
PHOTO CUTLINE: Minister Hon. Maurice Lake (5th from left) and Chairman of the Progress Committee Ronald Bandell (3rd from left) along with other committee members, members of the Minister’s Cabinet and officials from Ministry VROMI. DCOMM Photo