SINT MAARTEN (PHILIPSBURG) – Leader of the Progressive People’s Party (PPA) Gracita Arrindell said in a press statement on Sunday that she believes and has stated: “It shall be the constant concern of the authorities to provide sufficient living accommodation,’ states article 21 sub 2 of our constitution”.
“Ten years later, this concern has become a matter of life and death. September 2020, three years after devastating Hurricane Irma and several governments later, many of our citizens are still waiting for their homes to be repaired. WHY? The answer is sadly simple, because the assessments regarding the housing needs and home repairs made by numerous local and international institutions proved to be as fluid as the ink they wasted.
“Why have we seen little progress in the affordable housing area for decades on such a small island with less than 80 thousand residents? Too often we must hear MP’s from Holland scoff at the small progress made as well as in other areas such as the environment or our public finances over the past decades. We can stop this”.
Arrindell said, “our local governments (Parliament and Council of Ministers) appear to be happier point fingers at each other over who is at fault rather than solving the issue.
“If the current formula of the NRBP proved incapable of getting the job done after almost THREE YEARS then government must change tack and find a different solution which includes NRPB. In the interim, following last weeks Parliament meeting, a new follow- up meeting must be held as soon as possible whereby NRPB must return to Parliament and give per district, per street, per home account of what was repaired and what is left to be repaired and provide a time-table and stick to it! If the answers make no sense and are unacceptable to Parliament then NRPB management must be sent packing. There is no time to waste and there is just too much suffering!”
Gracita continues and states that “local governments must be transparent and held accountable for their (in) actions by the people. Parliament’s housing sub-committee must put its boots on the ground and go on a fact finding mission and personally assess the housing situation compared to the report given by the PM as Minister of General Affairs in its meeting of Friday June 5th last. What do you have to loose, compared to the suffering of those left waiting, some for decades?
“Each time it rains, it pours into the dwellings of families who are already suffering from chronic unemployment. All districts have residents living under substandard conditions.
“An example, a family of four (4) living in Belvedere live under a roof partially covered of the doors of the kid’s bedrooms. Rent is over 400 USD dollars a month paid over approximately 20 years and still no homeownership! This is rough! This is unacceptable. Our elected and appointed officials must remember that the citizens of this island did not vote to provide them with employment. They are voted to serve all of the people’s interest. Everyone stands to share in the success of your policies, once they uphold the laws and work to improve the lives of our constituents.”
Arrindell believes the Covid-19 pandemic exposed more than just the lack of or need for decent and affordable housing. This virus also points towards a correlation between citizens who live in dwellings that are substandard and increase their vulnerability to the virus. This becomes a health issue for authorities and citizens alike.
“A continued lack of affordable homes, erodes the dignity of our citizens. The sooner homes are repaired including and especially in the highly affected neighborhoods, the sooner neighborhoods are cleared of debris, including the removal of car and heavy equipment carcasses, the better we can restore the dignity of life to our citizens. I am a strong believer in the notion that Home ownership makes stronger neighborhoods.
“Before inviting tourists back into our island, lets make sure our people can be safe in their own decent and affordable homes and clean neighborhoods”, states Gracita.
Arrindell concludes, “Our housing vision expressed consecutively over the years considers adequate housing to be a condition of becoming a law- abiding and productive student, worker and or citizen. Housing strategies must take into consideration plans for modern housing that are compatible with our Caribbean climate and the architectural aesthetics of our region. Homes and buildings must meet the requirements of the region we live in (hurricane belt). The designs must include the return of (modern) cisterns and preserve the natural beauty of our island by establishing green-zones in our neighborhoods. We must remember that the motto is not ‘ government for your enjoyment” nut government by the people for the people. Democracy is not perfect. But it’s the best system we have and officials voted into power have a responsibility to keep their promises.”
Source: Souliga Newsday https://www.soualiganewsday.com/index.php?option=com-k2&view=item&id=31903:gracita-calls-for-public-disclosure-of-housing-home-repair-projects&Itemid=450
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