PHILIPSBURG–Culture Minister Wycliffe Smith said on Wednesday that Justice Minister Cornelius de Weever is exploring possibilities within the law to accommodate persons who do not want to drive around with the 2019 licence plate which reads “50 Years of Carnival.”
Smith said the announcement of the 2019 licence plates, which pays tribute to Carnival’s 50th year this year, has “caused quite a stir,” especially amongst persons who, due to their religious and personal convictions, do not promote Carnival.
“One can understand that government does not wait until year end to order new number plates, so the decision for the design and purchase of new licence plates was not handled by this current government,” Smith said.
He told reporters during the live Council of Ministers press briefing on Wednesday that persons look especially at him, as a representative of the St. Maarten Christian Party (SMCP), and ask, “How could you have allowed this to happen?”
“Again, let me reiterate: the decision to order and design the 2019 licence plates was taken before I became a member of government. Now that plates will be available soon, what can be done to accommodate those persons, who feel that they would be forced to promote Carnival, even though it goes against their conviction?
“I have discussed the matter with my colleague, the Minister of Justice, who understands the situation and is sensitive to the concerns of those people, who due to the religious or personal convictions are opposed to driving around with the 2019 licence plate as it is.”
Smith said Carnival is one of the many festive cultural expressions of the people of St. Maarten and as Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports (ECYS), he “definitely” would like to see a lot more focus and attention on the cultural aspects of Carnival.
“For this reason, I have had meetings with the Department of Culture and with my colleague, the Minister of TEATT [Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunications – Ed.], to discuss how we can include our local, traditional culture back in Carnival. This would involve the participation of our schools and various cultural groups on the island. As soon as the plans are finalised, I will be presenting them to the general public,” Smith said.
The 2019 plates, which are yellow in colour, have “50 Years of Carnival 2019” emblazoned at the top and “St. Maarten” at the bottom. A total of 33,278 sets of plates for motor vehicles and 1,000 motorbike plates have been ordered, Receiver Minerva Gumbs had told this newspaper in December. The plates are expected to arrive early this month.
The plates will cost the same as last year, which is NAf. 12.50 for all types of vehicles and NAf. 7.50 for motorbikes.
Motorists with number plates M, P, SXM, MR (ministers) and PAR (parliament) will be expected to pay NAf. 275 in motor vehicle tax for gasoline-operated vehicles and NAf. 750 for diesel-fuel-operated ones.
Motorists with R plates will pay NAf. 300 for gasoline-operated vehicles and NAf. 750 for diesel fuel-operated vehicles.
Taxis, BUS, G (group) and T (tour buses with 35 passengers or less) pay NAf. 275 for gasoline-operated vehicles and NAf. 550 for diesel fuel-operated vehicles.
Vehicles with V and Z plates that weigh more than 3,500kg will pay NAf. 1,250 for gasoline- or diesel-fuel-operated vehicles. Vehicles with V plates that weigh less than 3,500kg will pay NAf. 275 for gasoline-operated vehicles and NAf. 750 for diesel-fuel-operated vehicles.
Persons with MF (motorbike) plates will pay NAf. 200 and those with MF (mopeds) will pay NAf. 50 in motor vehicle tax.
A valid insurance document and inspection card will be needed for payment to be processed.
Source: The Daily Herald https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/84158-possibilities-being-explored-for-those-against-2019-plates
View comments
Hide comments