In a shocking display of political maneuvering, MP Rolando Brison recently wrote an article in the Daily
Herald, attempting to shift the blame for the Bearing Point scandal onto the shoulders of the previous
DP/UD minister. However, the truth of the matter remains crystal clear – the current NA finance minister
cannot escape his responsibility in this grave matter.
The scandal, which revolves around the implementation of a new tax system platform from Bearing
Point, is yet another example of financial mismanagement, and potentially wasted funds. The
consequences of the court ruling against Sint Maarten has serious implications, with the island now
having paid a very significant one million guilders, which is merely a prepayment for a total damage
claim which currently sits at 12 million guilders and is increasing by 50.000 guilders per month.
What is most alarming is the lack of action taken by the current finance minister when he learned of the
situation. If he truly believed that the contract was signed under wrongful pretenses, it was his duty to
act swiftly and decisively. Instead, he chose to remain silent, leaving the people of the country in the
dark about the unfolding crisis. It is evident that TRUE transparency and accountability are not priorities
for this coalition, as they attempt to shift blame and evade responsibility. These terms are not to be
thrown around lightly. Actions speak louder than words, and the fact that very little has been said or
done (we don’t know, because there is an abundant lack of transparency) over the past 4 years says
enough.
As citizens of Sint Maarten, we must not be fooled by such weak attempts to absolve oneself of
accountability. The current NA finance minister had an obligation to take immediate action upon
discovering the “questionable” contract. “Questionable” because of? If this industry standard tax system
was truly not the right fit, we, the people, would expect an in-depth analysis would have taken place,
wherein an IT Systems Architect would have given his or her professional opinion on the matter. If
indeed the currently proposed system did not meet the future vision of this Council of Ministers one
would expect Bearing Point to have been approached and a potential scope change to be discussed, or
some other means of negotiations to have taken place. Instead, he chose to turn a blind eye, and now
seeks to point fingers elsewhere. In a subsequent council press briefing the finance minister alluded to
not having caused this problem. That is very much so up for debate, however, it is your responsibility to
have resolved it in an amicable way. It is not the former DP/UD minister currently in office, it is you!
Thus, making it YOUR responsibility. Being a minister is no easy task, and this misconception must be
dispelled from the minds of aspiring politicians on the island. The ministerial position, especially on St.
Maarten, carries an immense amount of responsibility, and one must fully accept this fact along with the
consequences that come with it. This role should not be taken lightly, and if one is not up to the
challenge, they should graciously step aside for someone who is prepared to take on this significant
responsibility.
In the worst-case scenario, Country St. Maarten would be burdened with an exorbitant cost of at least
12 million guilders to settle with Bearing Point, on top of having to pay another vendor for their tax
system. Can you imagine the magnitude of 12 million guilders? For all the passionate basketball fans
who attended the battle of the fittest basketball games, that amount could provide state-of-the-art
cooling facilities. It could also bring about a top-notch court and brilliant lights for the players to excel.
This mismanagement of funds must end. The people of Sint Maarten deserve leaders who prioritize
their welfare, act with integrity, and uphold transparency in all matters. It is time for us to demand
accountability from those in power and to ensure that our elected representatives uphold the highest
standards of governance. Let us not be swayed by empty words, false promises, last ditch efforts, and
political games, but instead, let us stand together and demand the transparency and honesty that our
country deserves. The Bearing Point scandal is a stark reminder of the urgent need for change and a call
to action for all citizens to hold their leaders accountable for their actions and inactions. Only through
collective determination can we pave the way for a brighter and more accountable future for Sint
Maarten.
David Salomon