PHILIPSBURG:--- Member of Parliament and former VSA Minister Omar Ottley delivered a strong and pointed address in Parliament today, directly confronting current VSA Minister Richinel Brug over the handling of the new general hospital project.
Speaking candidly, Ottley made it clear from the outset that his intention was not to assign blame, but to highlight what he described as a serious lack of transparency surrounding the project.
“This meeting… is not to blame, but about lack of transparency,” Ottley stated.
Revisiting the Roots of the Crisis
Ottley walked Parliament through a detailed timeline dating back to 2016, emphasizing that the project was troubled long before he entered politics. He pointed to early contract issues, including legal action and costly settlements, which resulted in millions being paid out before construction even began.
He stressed that these early missteps created a ripple effect that continues to impact the project today.
“Before the hospital even got the first brick laid… we had to pay millions to settle,” he said.
Defending His Tenure
Addressing criticism of his time as Minister, Ottley firmly stated that he inherited a problematic situation rather than created it.
“I was not the orchestrator of this mess, but it’s what I had to bear with,” he said.
He highlighted that when he assumed office in April 2021, there was virtually no physical progress on the site, noting that even basic construction had not yet begun.
Ottley outlined achievements during his tenure, including the establishment of the hospital’s foundation, installation of key infrastructure such as water tanks and generator systems, and progress that brought the project to a stage where vertical construction could begin.
Calls for Stronger Leadership
While acknowledging that Minister Brug also inherited challenges, Ottley expressed concern over what he sees as a lack of assertiveness in dealing with contractors and managing the project.
He urged the Minister to take a firmer stance and enforce agreements and deadlines.
“You have an agreement… get it done. Do not let them take you for a ride,” Ottley warned.
He also questioned how often the Minister meets with key stakeholders, including FINZO and the St. Maarten Medical Center, and sought clarity on the project's growing financial demands.
Transparency and Accountability in Question
A major focus of Ottley’s address was transparency, particularly regarding additional funding requests and conflicting reported figures.
He pressed for clear answers on how much contractors are requesting versus what oversight bodies deem reasonable.
Concerns Over Local Employment
Ottley also raised concerns about the number of foreign workers on the construction site, questioning whether sufficient effort has been made to hire locally.
He referenced his own policy of requiring job fairs before approving labor permits and suggested that such practices are not being enforced.
Broader Healthcare Concerns
Beyond the hospital construction, Ottley addressed wider issues within the healthcare system, including delays in legislation needed to integrate locally trained medical professionals and the need for improvements at existing facilities while the new hospital remains incomplete.
A Final Warning
In closing, Ottley delivered a firm message to Minister Brug, emphasizing the weight of responsibility that comes with the role.
“Heavy is the head that wears the crown… give us real, direct answers,” he said.
The exchange highlighted growing tension in Parliament over the hospital project, as calls intensify for stronger leadership, clearer communication, and tangible progress on one of Sint Maarten’s most critical national developments.
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