THE HAGUE–The Second Chamber of the Dutch Parliament is insisting on having a debate in the short term with State Secretary of Home Affairs and Kingdom Relations Raymond Knops before the latter signs off on the agreement with the World Bank for the reconstruction of St. Maarten after Hurricane Irma.
The Second Chamber’s Permanent Committee for Kingdom Relations decided during a procedural meeting on Wednesday that it will invite the State Secretary for a general debate in the month of April. The original intention to have a meeting in May was abandoned as this was considered to be too late, because by then the agreement with the World Bank would already have been signed.
The State Secretary informed the Second Chamber last Friday about the pending agreement with the World Bank to manage the Trust Fund on behalf of the Dutch Government which has reserved 550 million euro for St. Maarten. Knops’ letter raised some questions as to the execution of the Trust Fund and the agreement with the World Bank in general.
Originally a debate with the State Secretary was planned for May, but Member of Parliament (MP) Ronald van Raak of the Socialist Party (SP) wondered whether that was not too late since the signing with the World Bank was anticipated to take place in April.
“I understand that the signing is very near and I wonder whether having a debate after the deed will still serve much purpose. We need clarity before the signing of the agreement,” said Van Raak, whose request received support from the other members.
MP Joba van den Berg of the Christian Democratic Party CDA said she wanted some clarity, in particular about the amount, a maximum of 470 million euros, that will be placed in the Trust Fund and the remuneration for the World Bank, which will be between 5 and 9 per cent, up to a maximum of 42 million euros.
“I don’t want to be faced with a fait accompli. Better safe than sorry,” said Van den Berg, who said it was imperative to meet with the State Secretary before the deal is signed with the World Bank to enable the Parliament to make its wishes clear.
Van den Berg told this newspaper that it was important to start the reconstruction programme as soon as possible, especially in light of the approaching hurricane season. “I want this deal with the World Bank to be quickly concluded so the reconstruction can commence post-haste.”
Source: The Daily Herald https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/75121-parliament-wants-debate-before-world-bank-deal
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