Minister Plasterk Satisfied With Progress Reports, Renovation of Point Blanche Prison
The Prime Minister of St. Maarten the Honorable Sarah Wescot-Williams held her once quarterly meeting with the Dutch Minister of Interior Plasterk at a Video Conference held at the Conference Room of the Parliament Building on Thursday.
The meeting was held in conformity with the agreement regarding reporting on the Plans of Approach. This agreement states that the PM and Dutch Minister of BZK meet once the quarterly reports have been submitted by the relevant ministries and vetted by the Progress Committee under the chairmanship of Mr. Bandell. Mr. Richard Gibson Sr. is St. Maarten’s representative in that committee.
"Today we handled two progress reports, namely from the fourth quarter of 2012 and the first quarter of 2013. The ministries that fall under the Plans of Approach are General Affairs (Census and Legal Affairs), VROMI, and Justice (Point Blanche Prison, Police and National Detective). Given the emphasis on Justice, the Minister of Justice usually sits in on these so-called MO (Ministrieel Overleg) meetings. This was Minister Richardson’s first MO and generally speaking the progress in all areas is moving ahead well. Minister Plasterk was happy to learn that renovations at the Point Blanche prison are slated to begin next week," commented the Prime Minister. Representatives of the relevant ministries were also present during the meeting.