Weekend site visit planned for Cape Bay
Minister Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure (Ministry VROMI) Minister Hon. Maurice Lake and Minister of Justice Hon. Dennis Richardson who are both spearheading the Task Force to deal with the so-called shanty town issues, met last week Friday with the Task Force to discuss a plan of action.
A criterion is to be drafted with respect to so-called shanty town areas; an inventory will also be taken with respect to the areas that are most prone to become a shanty town.
An inventory is planned of buildings that do not meet the building code of the country; an inventory will also be taken of families that will have to be relocated; a plan is also to be designed for low income homes that are hurricane resistant and meets the building codes of the country.
Research will also be carried out regarding the process that has to be followed for landowners who could work with a developer to construct dwellings that meet country building codes.
"The objective is to work closely with all stakeholders as it is people we are talking about – human beings. Landowners, Community Councils and Government have to work together to deal with this issue once and for all.
"The first walk through is planned for this weekend with the Cape Bay Community Council, members of the Task Force, and landowners. I am very confident of the long-term results that this synergy will bring forth from the stakeholders. We are dealing here about back to basics, and this approach will also be valid for other districts.
"We have to improve the living conditions of all the people in this country. We are all human beings. Things won’t happen right away, but this is a short to long-term planning with structures being put into place to initially avoid any further expansion of so-called shanty town areas. It’s a start with an end result!
"We all must work together to make our country a better place to work, live and play, and this also includes those who have made Sint Maarten their home. They also have a responsibility to work in the interests of the country," Minister Hon. Maurice Lake said on Wednesday.
The Task Force includes the Ministry of Justice, Ministry of VROMI, Social Affairs, Fire Department, GEBE and several other government departments.
PHOTO CUTLINE: Minister Maurice Lake