SXMElections.com

St. Maarten News – Social insurance agency SZV and pension fund APS think it is feasible for civil servants to move into the government administration Building on Pond Island by the end of July, Prime Minister William Marlin said at yesterday’s council of Ministers press briefing.

SZV and Aps will buy the building for around 45 million guilders and complete it. The government will lease it back for a number of years, but in the end the intention is for the government to buy the building back, Marlin said.

“Our target was to move in by the end of May or in June, but SZV and APS said that July is more realistic.”

The purchase price will be offset against the outstanding payment arrears to SZV and APS – together around 150 million guilders. When the government receives its share of the division of assets of the former Netherlands Antilles – estimated at 60 million guilders – this will also be used to bring down the payment arrears.