PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of VROMI Maurice Lake has decided to pay the contractors of Millinium Construction Pro's (MCP) for the work they did some weeks ago. Minister Lake said that he also intends to send the contractor a letter informing them that they have to fill back the huge gut that is next to the Flanders home.
Minister Lake said he did not issue a work stop but instead he placed the FOGA Development on hold until the loan is approved. Minister Lake explained that the advice and other paperwork regarding the project could not be found at the department of General Affairs. He said that the former Minister of VROMI made several mistakes including several of the staff of VROMI and the contractor whom he said won the bid. Minister Lake further stated that even though the contractor won the bid they have to follow the letter of the law. "At the time they started the project, the waiver was still at the Police Station. Lake said that he has to work by the books and what is in the advice written by the former Minister of VROMI William Marlin. When asked if the work stop has anything to do with politics, Minister Lake denied that and said that if any other contractor had done what MCP did he would have done the same. SMN News asked the VROMI Minister how it is possible for other construction work to take place and not the FOGA Development. Minister Lake said he could only speak for his Ministry and he cannot pay a contractor close to Naf. 6 million when the Government of St. Maarten does not have monies. When asked about the reserves government has, he said he is not going to speak about the reserves instead his focus is what is in the advice which is unless the loan is approved the work could not start.
Minister Lake said that prior to putting the work on hold he held a meeting with his staff and none of them at the Ministry knew about the project. He said the only person that knew about the project is the head of New Works Kurt Ruan. Minister Lake told SMN News that he is working with the advice he saw and that politics does not have anything to do with his decision. SMN News also asked Minister Lake what is the reason his government starting with the SWW1 cabinet did not repair Cassava Road where his cousin lives, Minister Lake said only on Wednesday he saw his relative and assured her that now he is the Minister of VROMI he will ensure that the road and the wall that is falling on her house is repaired. Minister Lake confirmed that his cousin, the former adviser of the Leader of the National Alliance, has been trying to get the department of VROMI to repair her road and to safeguard her home but it was not done.
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