PHILIPSBURG–The Secretariat of Parliament has yet to schedule a public plenary session for Members of Parliament (MPs) to debate a document proposing a Parliamentary inquiry into Mullet Bay, which was submitted last week by MP Rolando Brison of United St. Maarten Party (US Party).
This was confirmed yesterday by Parliament Chairperson Sarah Wescot-Williams in an interview with Steven Cyrillien of PJD2 radio.
“I know that the proposal is in at our Secretariat. … [They need – Ed.] to look at the entire matter of organising and preparing for such, and the proposal will be scheduled as soon as those preparations will be worked out. It has not yet been scheduled when we will have a parliament meeting to debate the proposal for a parliamentary inquiry,” said Wescot-Williams.
The fact that MPs can propose a parliamentary inquiry is a “fundamental right” that is enshrined in St. Maarten’s constitution, according to Wescot-Williams. She said parliamentary inquiries are regulated by the Country Ordinance Parliamentary Inquiry.
According to Brison, a public plenary session of Parliament to debate the matter should be called within 14 days of submission. Considering that it has been eight days since he submitted the proposal document, he expects a meeting to be announced within one week.
MPs will vote on the proposal after the plenary session debates. If a majority of MPs are in agreement, then a commission will be assembled, and the inquiry will be set in motion.
If passed, the Mullet Bay Parliamentary Inquiry Commission will consist of Brison (as commission chairperson), one member of the Presidium, two members of the United Democrats (UD) faction, two members of the National Alliance (NA) faction, one member of the US Party faction (Frans Richardson), and one member of the St. Maarten Christian Party faction (Claude Peterson).
Brison is confident that his proposal will pass.
“I have spoken to many members across several parties who say it’s a very good thing. I’m hoping it has unanimous support, as it is something everyone wants to see for St. Maarten – effective, assertive action taken with regard to Mullet Bay.
“I want to thank the overwhelming support from the community of St. Maarten who have reached out in support of my initiative. I encourage them to also reach out to other political representatives and encourage them to support it as well,” he said.
Source: The Daily Herald https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/90169-public-session-on-mullet-bay-inquiry-yet-to-be-scheduled
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