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Governor accepts final report from formateur Atacho
SXM Island Times - PHILIPSBURG - The Governor of the Netherlands Antilles, mr. F.M.d.l.S. Goedgedrag, received the final report of the formateur, Mr. P.J. Atacho. Mr. Atacho has accepted the commission to form a cabinet that:
· has a majority support in Parliament and a basis on all the islands of the Netherlands Antilles, and
· consists of persons who are prepared and able to execute a transition program in a decisive and well-balanced manner on the basis of the Agreement of Philipsburg, concluded on February 19, 2010
MPC students learn about government
SXM Island Times - As of March 1st 7 new sectors in government have been adjusted to reflect the 7 ministries of Country St. Maarten. Some of the new sectors have already begun preparations to accept the transfer of tasks from the Central Government.
The seven new sectors are: General Affairs, Justice, Public Health, Social Development, and Labor (VSA), Spatial Planning and Infrastructure Management, Tourism, Economic Affairs, Traffic and Telecommunication, Education, and Finance.
Frans returns to island, Executive Council meets
PHILIPSBURG--Commissioner Frans Richardson cut his travels short Tuesday and returned home in time for the Executive Council to meet. Richardson had been scheduled to attend Seatrade Cruise and Shipping Miami on his way back from a tradeshow in Berlin, Germany. Leader of Government William Marlin told The Daily Herald that he, Richardson and Commissioner Hyacith Richardson had met with Executive Council Chairman Lt. Governor Franklyn Richards on a 30-point agenda that covered personnel and other matters.[More....]
Patrick Illidge officially confirmed as minister
The Daily Herald - ~ Governor announces new cabinet ~
WILLEMSTAD--Patrick Illidge of the National Alliance (NA) will be the new Minister of Traffic and Communication. Illidge, who serves as a state secretary for public health, was tipped for NA's second ministerial post in the Emily de Jongh-Elhage II Cabinet, but this was never confirmed by party leader Commissioner William Marlin.
Illidge was among the new cabinet members whose names were announced by Governor of the Netherlands Antilles Fritz Goedgedrag Tuesday afternoon after Formateur Pedro Atacho submitted his report on the new government.
Transfer of functions began Monday
SXM Island Times - WILLEMSTAD - Roughly 260 civil servants from the Central Government began working for the Island Territory of Curacao on Monday. An agreement for their transfer was signed Sunday in Fort Amsterdam by Prime Minister Emily de Jongh El-Hage and Curacao's Commissioner of Constitutional Affairs Zita Jesus Lieto.
In a joint press statement the Prime Minister and the Commissioner called the protocol "important." They're not saying much about the content though.
Registration of Haitian nationals in relation to the Brooks Towers (category 3)
SXM Island Times - PHILIPSBURG - On Monday March 15th, registration will start of illegal Haitian nationals. Wednesday March 31, 2010 will be the last day to register.
The registration will take place from Monday through Friday from 8 in the morning non stop till 4 in the afternoon at the Conference Center of the Salvation Army on the Union Road #59 in Cole Bay.
Franscisca leaves early, paves way for new head of Judicial Affairs
The Daily Herald - ~ It was logical, says Chief Inspector ~
PHILIPSBURG--Police Chief Inspector Dafnis Franscisca took vacation about two months early to allow the Central Government to appoint a new head of Judicial Affairs for the Windward Island Police Force KPSSS.
Franscisca, who headed KPSSS in Acting Chief Commissioner Ademar Doran's absence, said leaving was the "logical" thing to do. He was scheduled to retire after June. "I never had it in my head to stay on," Fransisca told The Daily Herald.
Editorial - Security
The Daily Herald - Yesterday's approval of the so-called BES laws by the Second Chamber of the Dutch Parliament is good news for particularly Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba, which now have a greater assurance that their long-awaited change of status to become special overseas public entities of the Netherlands indeed will become a reality in the not-too-distant future. It is important to remember that amending the Kingdom Charter to formalise the new constitutional relations will be left to the next second Chamber to be voted into office on June 9, but all the groundwork can be done in the meantime, of course.
Jacoba Reassures Officers At Information Session
PHILIPSBURG - Justice Minister Magali Jacoba spent Wednesday afternoon updating Police & Immigration Officers on the ongoing Dismantling Process. The meeting was held at the request of both the Antillean Police Union (NAPB) and the ABVO Union. One of the main concerns is the legal position of the officers as and after the transition is made to Country Status for both Curacao & St. Maarten. The Minister says those concerns can only be addressed by the Island Territory because the responsibility is being handed over by the Central Government.[More....]
Justice Minister and Unions Held Information Session.
SMNN -
Philipsburg: --- Minister of Justice Magali Jacoba, and Junior Minister Ernie Simmons attended information session, which was given to several police officers on Wednesday. The Police Union NABP organized the information session, which was provided by Geomally Martes Director of the SOAB of the Netherlands Antilles. Officers of the KPSSS are very concerned about the dismantling of the Netherlands Antilles. Minister of Justice Magali Jacoba said she understands the concerns of the Federal Government Civil Servants and as such, the information sessions are needed to bring the workers up to speed with the process.[More....]
