The Council of Ministers (COM) received delegates of SONA-USONA on Thursday, September 11, 2014.
SONA-USONA was represented by Chairman of the SONA Board Richard Hart, Director of USONA Reginaldo Doran, Secretary of the SONA Board Miguel Alexander, Management Advisor Angela Dekker and Secretarial Assistant USONA George Lichtveld.
Information was provided regarding the timetable of the finalization process of the current projects and programs, as well as, possible financial implications for the government in case the process is not completed in time.
SONA-USONA has been managing the development funding made available to the islands by the Netherlands since 2004. The funding is currently in its final stage ending per December 31, 2014. The current projects and programs have been initiated since 2008 and are part of the IVB-project (‘samenwerkingsprogramma Institutionele Versterking en Bestuurskracht’) and SEI-program (‘programma Sociaal Economisch Initiatief’).
SONA-USONA has as its task to ensure that the agreements made regarding the funding between the islands and the Netherlands are upheld by all parties concerned.
Though administratively the necessary efforts still need to be made, St. Maarten has done well in applying and managing the available funding, according to the chairman of SONA, Hart.
The Department of the Interior and Kingdom Relations (BAK) on St. Maarten works closely with SONA-USONA. Its Department Head, Marc Arnold, was present at the meeting to provide specific input regarding St. Maarten to the Council and the visiting delegation.
As this was the last official visit of the SONA-USONA delegation to the Council, both the Chairman of the SONA Board Hart and Director of USONA Doran were presented with a token of appreciation on behalf of the Council.
The gift depicted pictures of some of the many projects and programs that took place on St. Maarten in cooperation with USONA.
The honourable Deputy Prime Minister Dennis Richardson thanked SONA-USONA for their provided cooperation, assistance and guidance over the years on behalf of St. Maarten.
Special thanks were also extended to Angela Dekker, who made an exceptional contribution to St. Maarten concerning the cooperation with USONA.
