With much interest I read the article from the honorable Minister of VROMIL, Mr. Maurice Lake.
I fully support the Minister’s call for all Government owned vehicles to be parked in their respective parking areas at the end of the work day. This is not a first call of course.
Many years ago during the enforcement of the austerity measures under the Netherlands Antilles constellation, the Windward Islands Chamber of Labor Unions (WICLU), presented a paper to the Island Government at the time proposing different cost savings measures to assist in the reduction of Government’s overall cost. But as usual it fell on deaf ears. Can you imagine how much money Government would have saved from 1997? It has remained a point of discussion over the years and now again it resurfaced a point of discussion within the community. This, I believe, as a result of the recent cuts in the 2013 budget added to the intention to cut as I understand as much as 20 million Guilders from the 2014 budget; the non-execution of the cost of living adjustment in its current form and I can go on and on.
I truly hope that Minster Lake is being genuine in his comments and suggestions and that he is not merely making a political statement in the run-up to 2014 campaign and elections. Minster Lake has firsthand experience in his former function as Secretary General (SG) to the then Minister Heyliger, so he has a very good idea about what we were and are paying for gasoline. With the constant increase in gasoline and the current high cost of gasoline, it has been and remain a great financial burden on us tax payers, one of the factors being that no SG (or department head for that matter) drives our vehicle as we say with the "window scrolled down"; hot weather, cold weather, in between weather. It’s one thing when Minister’s assigned vehicles, driven by their respective S.G’s or those driven by department heads are driven after working hours for a specific job related purpose, but not when they are seen on beaches; at nightclubs; at the movies; while on vacation; it’s irresponsible and unacceptable. Of course we all understand that there are instances where some SG’s and some department heads might have a 24-hour contractual agreement with Government, but if so we the people, the tax payers must know.
I agree with the Minister in that and I am quoting from his quote:" We have to look seriously within to cut or cost. We have a policy on paper and now it has to be executed!" One of the proposals made by WICLU was to cut out the many consultants and use the expertise of retired civil servants, who have proven that they have as much or even more experience. WICSU at that time, proposed on many occasions to house the many Government Offices in one building, again as a cost saving measure. Finally after umpteen years, we have one; not used, not big enough but yeah we paying for it right, so I guess we should be happy……….hmmmm?. The Council of Ministers can further look from within and accept a cut in their salaries during this crisis situation. Probably the honorable Minister Lake can take the lead in this. The Government can also make urgent amendment to the current policy regulating the pension for former Ministers, avoiding the heavy financial burden on us the tax-payers as currently exist, each time someone decides to throw down and put back Government at their whim. It would be interesting to know how much is paid to former Ministers under this policy.
Honorable Minister Lake, I and I assume others as well, anxiously look forward to receiving your plan of action in collaboration with your SG with respect to your recommendations.
Execution is the key!
Patricia Pantophlet