"We All Did What Was Necessary to move PSS Forward"
The Prime Minister of St. Maarten the Honorable Sarah Wescot-Williams, as Shareholder Representative of the Postal Service St. Maarten (PSS) answered several questions from Parliament on various issues regarding the PSS on Monday. Monday’s meeting was requested by three members of Parliament with Parliamentarians asking several questions, including questions regarding the resignation of the former Managing Director.
The Prime Minister started by outlining the relationship between St. Maarten and the National Postal Service of the former Netherlands Antilles NPNA. The PM explained that the Government is still a 25% shareholder in the NPNA, however this shareholdership is not reflected in the assets of the company; " On numerous times I have brought forward the issues of St. Maarten to the NPNA and I consider it salt in the wounds that the NPNA removed their assets from St. Maarten at a time when the PSS was just starting up," stated the Hon. Wescot-Williams. The Prime Minister also commented that the only concession granted by the Government to PSS was concerning the postal service for St. Maarten, and that there is no special post for the PSS in the Budget.
The Prime Minister also made it clear to Parliament that the former Managing Director was not forced to resign but did so out of his own free will. " In the letter which was made public by the Managing Director in the media it clearly states that the Managing Director resigned out of his own free will based on certain disagreements." With regards to the renumeration of the Managing Director the Prime Minister stated that a decision in that regard is pending until the Corporate Governing Council has issued their advice on the matter. Similarly the Prime Minister also addressed the stipend of the Supervisory Board of Directors in that regard.
Explanation was also given on the involvement of the Supervisory Board of Directors and the Shareholder Representative; "All of us; the Shareholder Representative, the Supervisory Board of Directors and indeed the Managing Director did all what was necessary to move PSS forward. For example: I have met on countless occasions with the employees of the PSS and their representatives to ensure that their interests are being met, both before and after the transition from the NPNA. "
With regards to damages being paid to the former Managing Director due to his suspension, the PM mentioned that the suspension occurred legally and therefore no damages had to be paid.
The Prime Minister also answered that she received no indication that the salaries for the workers of the PSS were in jeopardy and that Government is in the process of restoring the overdraft capabilities of the company at a local bank.
The meeting was adjourned pending the delivery of the SOAB report on the institution and its review by the Prime Minister as Shareholder Representative. Subsequently all necessary documents will be delivered to Parliament and the Prime Minister will continue to answer questions posted by Parliamentarians.