More than enough time has passed for the Minister of Finance Hon. Roland Tuitt to present the findings of research carried out by the Government’s Accountants Bureau SOAB on the procedures used by the former Minister of Finance Hon. Hiro Shigemoto in handling the Taxand-led tax reform project.
The Minister on a monthly basis since he cancelled the project in May/June 2012 has promised to make the results known and we are still waiting. The SOAB report was received some time in November 2012 and up to the beginning of the New Year wasn’t presented to the Council of Ministers.
What is the hold up? The Minister had the entire month of December to submit the findings to the Council and that did not happen.
Minister Tuitt mentioned in his last meeting with parliament that the Council still had to review the report. How thick is this report that it is taking so long?
It is important for Sint Maarten to move forward post haste in getting our new tax structure in place. The longer the delay, the less revenue, including, possible new to be attracted revenue for government to fund programs and projects for our citizens.
The UP faction is eagerly awaiting this report.
Gracita Arrindell
United People’s (UP) Party
Member of Parliament