PHILIPSBURG--Prime Minister Sarah Wescot-Williams says government will appeal the verdict handed down by the Court of First Instance instructing government to purchase Industry and Golden Rock Plantations, commonly called Emilio Wilson Estate (EWE).

 

The appeal does not mean government will not or is not interested in purchasing the estate. The prime minister explained that government would be focused more on other details used by the court to come to the verdict that government must sign the sales and purchase agreement with the plantations' owners for US $17 million.

 

Wescot-Williams said at the Council of Ministers press briefing on Wednesday that government would study and negotiate for "partial development" of the combined plantations in the Cul de Sac basin. Government will be the one to purchase the estate when it comes to that point and will be the sole owner. The possibility of projects with St. Maarten Harbour Group of Companies also will be looked into.

 

Meanwhile, Wescot-Williams said she had received a letter from Infrastructure Minister Maurice Lake requesting her assistance with a dossier related to the EWE issue. Lake will be in Parliament today, Thursday, to answer questions from Members of Parliament about government's decision to purchase the combined plantations. Cooperation has been given to Lake, according to the prime minister.