St. Maarten Private Eye

The 2.9 Million Nafs Fish Market

It's been over 14 months since the much hyped Fish Market in Simpson Bay was officially opened by Sarah,, the Fishermen were so enthusiastic and happy about it. Total coincidence of course that this was all so close to the elections. This project was to include 17 market stalls, six restaurants, four office spaces and a bar overlooking the lagoon.

Today it stands empty, while Roy may well be right that there areno liens on the property (who can be sure with this govt?), it also appears to be correct that there are no tenants either. Yeah, sure, the fishermen use part of it to sell their catch, but the units themselves are empty and weeds are pushing up through the brick pavements and flowerbeds. Heckofajob eh!

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One can only wonder why this is? Is the rent too high? Is it the lack of adequate parking spaces? Is it because there was no research done pre construction to find out what businesses were looking for, and maybe even some tenants?

Who knows, perhaps someone can ask Roy.

What seems to be clear to me is that there is a crucial lack of planning and follow up that goes into many local government projects. Consider the Border Point in Belvedere, still in ruins, used in total for perhaps 1 of the 10 or more years it has been there. Or how about the playground at Captain Hodges that also remains unused and will now, at some expense, be moved. How much do you think that cost to build? 1M nafs? Apparently there is a problem with insurance, and I suspect also with qualified and reliable staff to man it too.

How about the beautification projects? Board Walk and Front Street? Not bad, good job really. But if you go take a look at Back Street you will see many places where cables stick out of the ground and piles of trash in properties along it. Same thing with the Sucker Garden Roundabout, and as for Sucker Garden Road, does it really look 'beautified to you??

Belair, Cay Hill and Fresh Pond Roundabouts? Hah, lovely jubbly!

I think the problem rests in the 'follow through', that passing out the permits and cash to the 'regular' builders is easy and what they love to do, but planning the long term operation, maintenance and finishing touches is just too complicated and time consuming for them to bother with. Sort of like George Bush invading Iraq, but in a small island government scale. Who has time for all that when there are 'look good' photo opportunities to plan and attend?

And when oh when is someone going to ask Roy about the Market Stalls in Philipsburg?

Building infrastructure, making improvements and providing the residents of the island with social and community facilities is all very well, but the lack of 'follow through' and long term planning is more often than not, a waste of our money.

Hady Nufyet?

Bad Governance | Development and Construction | Simpson Bay Lagoon | Hady Nufyet's blog | 2 comments | read more