MARIGOT--French Overseas Minister Victorin Lurel told a gathering of the Territorial Council during his official visit on Monday that he was in favour of a complete revision of the organic law for St. Martin as a way forward, in terms of better financial management.

 

He said the protocol signed between the State and the Collectivité, which he described at one point as being on the "brink of the abyss," was a first step, but could not solve all the problems.

 

The Minister's much-anticipated and long-awaited visit elicited a string of concerns and criticisms of the State, in addition to requests, expressed individually by President Aline Hanson, Senator Louis-Constant Fleming, and Member of Parliament Daniel Gibbs.

 

It was hoped locally, bearing in mind that Lurel had intimate knowledge of St. Martin and its problems during his former 10-year stint as St. Martin's MP in Guadeloupe and as President of the Regional Council, that he would be able to bring solutions. However, it was also clear to local officials that France itself has even worse problems, with public finance, austerity measures and belt-tightening taking precedence.

 

Lurel noted in his 45-minute address that he himself could not take decisions directly as other ministers and ministries had to be consulted first.

 

On a positive note, however, he confirmed that some State-assisted projects were going ahead, such as at the port, a breakwater to protect the sewage treatment plant in Lowlands and a permanent  solution to evacuate water to lower the level of the Grand Case pond instead of the current method of digging a channel to the beach from the bridge. The latter two projects are estimated to cost 2,560,000 euros.

 

The 15-million Cité Scolaire project will begin construction in La Savane this coming September, as well as a social housing project for 52 units, also in La Savane, and extensions for parking of planes and the terminal building at Grand Case Airport. More social housing is planned for French Quarter.

 

Three schools also are going to be earthquake-proofed, he disclosed, while the military/educative school (RSMA) will go ahead after all.

 

He was presented with a painting at the end of the Territorial Council meeting. He reciprocated by presenting President Hanson with a gift.

 

Lurel arrived aboard an Air Caraïbes flight from Guadeloupe at 9:00am and was greeted by Préfet Philippe Chopin, the Préfete of Guadeloupe Marcelle Pierrot, and elected officials. The Socialist Party of St. Martin had organised a welcome for him as he exited the terminal building. Former Mayor Albert Fleming also was there to greet him.

 

His first engagement was a private meeting with President Hanson before he met members of the Territorial Council. Following the meeting he signed eight contracts for "Emplois d'Avenir" and met some of the young people.

 

Next it was a visit to the new media library in Concordia where he unveiled a plaque. Although the building is not yet finished, Lurel appeared very impressed with it.

 

In the afternoon he was given a presentation of some of the major ongoing projects: Cité Scolaire, social housing, Haappy City commercial centre, waterfront development and port extension. He also visited Computech in Galisbay and the Soualiga Workers. Earlier he was joined for lunch by Dutch-side Prime Minister Sarah Wescot-Williams. In the evening he met a group of business professionals and had a meeting with officials of the Public Works sector (BTP).

 

The Minister is due to visit St. Barths on Tuesday before returning to Paris that afternoon.

 

(The Daily Herald)