VAMED gets one million Euros to drop court proceedings.
PHILIPSBURG:--- The Austria company VAMED that took SZV to court to block the construction of a new hospital on St. Maarten after they lost the bid that was awarded to INSO is now negotiating with SZV and the Minister of Health Emil Lee who told reporters earlier that the government of St. Maarten was seeking legal advice to take VAMED to court.
On Wednesday, Minister Lee admitted that negotiations are taking place with VAMED in order for SZV and government to move on with constructing the new hospital earlier rather than wasting time on court procedures.
When asked how much monies SZV will be paying out as a settlement to VAMED, Minister Lee and Director of SZV Glen Carty said they are not allowed to say how much of the pensioner's monies will be used to settle with VAMED since VAMED requested that they sign a non-discloser agreement.However, SMN News learned via sources that SZV paid VAMED one million euros to drop all court proceedings.
It's strange that the Minister of Health would agree to not inform the people of St. Maarten on how much monies he is willing to pay VAMED in order to proceed with his “baby project the New Hospital” while the same Minister preaches about openness, transparency, and good governance. Asked after the press conference how much monies SZV is paying VAMED and why is it he chose to go into a settlement Minister Lee said that it is better to settle rather than to spend a year fighting court battles.
Some months ago VAMED won a court case they filed, the verdict of that case can be found beneath this article.
Click here to read VAMED victory verdict.
VAMED and SZV working on agreement, officials tight-lipped on the agreed amount of monies VAMED will receive to drop court proceedings.(UPDATED)
