28 C
Willemstad
• donderdag 28 maart 2024

Extra | Journaal 26 maart 2024

Elke werkdag het laatste nieuws van Extra, nu ook in het Nederlands. Bron: Extra

Democracy now! | Monday, March 25, 2024

Democracy Now! is a national, daily, independent, award-winning news program hosted by journalists Amy Goodman and Juan Gonzalez. Democracy Now!’s War and Peace Report provides our audience...

Extra | Journaal 25 maart 2024

Elke werkdag het laatste nieuws van Extra, nu ook in het Nederlands. Bron: Extra

Democracy now! | Friday, March 22, 2024

Democracy Now! is a national, daily, independent, award-winning news program hosted by journalists Amy Goodman and Juan Gonzalez. Democracy Now!’s War and Peace Report provides our audience...

Extra | Journaal 22 maart 2024

Elke werkdag het laatste nieuws van Extra, nu ook in het Nederlands. Bron: Extra

Democracy now! | Thursday, March 21, 2024

Democracy Now! is a national, daily, independent, award-winning news program hosted by journalists Amy Goodman and Juan Gonzalez. Democracy Now!’s War and Peace Report provides our audience...
- Advertisement -spot_img

DH | New hospital will cost $58M in repairs over 20-year period

HomeMediaDH | New hospital will cost $58M in repairs over 20-year period
St. Maarten Medical Center (SMMC)

PHILIPSBURG–The new St. Maarten General Hospital, which is being built to replace St. Maarten Medical Center (SMMC), is estimated to cost more than US $58 million in maintenance and repairs in its first twenty years of existence, Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labour VSA Richard Panneflek told Members of Parliament (MPs) on Thursday afternoon.

Panneflek’s statement came during Thursday’s virtual public session on the construction of the new hospital, where he was answering questions posed by MPs during the first round.

In response to MP Sidharth “Cookie” Bijlani of United People’s (UP) party, Panneflek said the new hospital’s design has not been changed due to the coronavirus COVID-19. However, SMMC is considering adding isolation rooms in available space of the proposed wing.

Panneflek said the new hospital will add 65 full-time equivalent (FTE) positions, compared to SMMC’s current 385 FTE.

MP Claudius “Toontje” Buncamper of United St. Maarten Party (US Party) asked about foreign workers in the previous meeting. Panneflek said foreign labourers in the hospital project can only work in St. Maarten if they meet all the requirements in the country’s labour laws.

MP Angelique Romou of National Alliance (NA) asked about SMMC using Cay Hill’s basketball and tennis courts as additional parking space and whether this arrangement was temporary or permanent. Panneflek said SMMC can only use the courts as parking while the new hospital is being built.

MP Christophe Emmanuel of NA asked whether the hospital’s contractor – Italian company Inso – had requested a tax break from government.

“No, Inso has not requested a tax break. However, SMMC has requested, and received as per July 16, 2019, an exemption for the turnover tax. … As a result of this exemption, the agreed construction price has been lowered by almost four million dollars,” said Panneflek.

In the second round of questions, Buncamper asked whether Inso has been sold and, if so, to what company or entity, while Romou asked whether there is a concrete plan and timeline for SMMC’s use of the basketball and tennis courts.

MP Sarah Wescot-Williams of United Democrats (UD) asked about the scheduled completion date for the new hospital, especially considering delays in construction due to coronavirus.

MP Omar Ottley of UP party focused on local subcontractors and asked Panneflek to disclose the companies currently being used to do the preliminary construction and excavation.

Bijlani did not pose questions in the second round because he has been hospitalised at SMMC with coronavirus. During the meeting, his colleagues wished him a speedy recovery.

The meeting was adjourned after the second round of questions because Panneflek said he needed additional time to receive information from SMMC.

Both Buncamper and Emmanuel objected to the postponement, saying that their questions were straightforward and could be answered immediately. Parliament Chairperson Rolando Brison took note of these complaints and encouraged Panneflek to get the answers as soon as possible. The meeting was then adjourned until further notice.

Bron: Daily Herald

Dit artikel is geplaatst in

1 reactie

  1. Vragen vragen en nog eens vragen, vertragingen en nog eens vertragingen, geen oplossingen en nog eens geen oplossingen, geen antwoord en nog eens geen antwoorden, de vergadering is verlopig tot nader order geschorst einde punt uit, en aub geen vragen meer over wie het meest aan $$$$$$ onder de tafel door geschoven krijgt, Het gaat weer het zelfde als toen de staats kas leeg plunderaar met zijn kinderen Claude Worhty aan de macht was een groot corrupt boeven nest, als Nl Knops het nu nog niet door heeft ? moet hij ook maar eens op stappen en in zijn villa tuin gaan werken en niet meer opkijken wat er door zijn toedoen alsnog volop word gestolen op de Sint Maarten Crim. Alleen Buitenlanders werken op dit eiland, de nep sint maartenaar werk nog geen uur laat staan een dag, ja in de kroeg en het restaurant zich vol vreten en zuipen kunnen zij als de besten en ik kaan het weten.

Geef een reactie

Vul alstublieft uw commentaar in!
Vul hier uw naam in

Zoeken

Recente reacties