No New Covid Support For SXM The Latest Bad News.

Sint Maarten has to wait even longer for corona support.
Sint Maarten still has not received the approximately 18 million euros in corona support that is withheld by State Secretary Raymond Knops (Kingdom Relations). Knops talked about it on Friday with the Prime Minister of Sint Maarten Silveria Jacobs during the so-called National Council of Ministers, but the impasse did not come to an end.

The aid was pledged on April 23, but later withdrawn due to maladministration at the airport there. This must first be put in order before the Netherlands pays out the corona support again. Earlier this year, support was also put on hold by the Netherlands after Sint Maarten submitted a motion to the United Nations stating that the conditions for support are neo-colonial.

The problems at the airport have been around for some time, but according to Knops they reached a peak after complaints by the Royal Schiphol Group (RSG). It is involved in the reconstruction of the airport on St. Maarten, which was heavily damaged in 2017 by Hurricane Irma. RSG first wants to see changes in the board, or else withdraw its cooperation. The continued cooperation of RSG is an important condition for Knops to continue with the support.

What Sint Maarten has to do for this is confidential. This would include the positions of individual directors. If the island meets the conditions, it does not have to wait for the next Reich Council of Ministers before the money can be transferred, says Knops. The next Reich Council of Ministers is in two weeks.

Prime Minister Jacobs is deeply disappointed by the decision. According to her, Knops has changed the conditions, while the agreements had already been made. Jacobs says the reconstruction of the airport is on schedule. According to her, the payment of the corona support cannot wait until the next steps in the reconstruction have been taken.