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PHILIPSBURG:--- Last Tuesday Member of Parliament of the United St. Maarten Party ((USP)) faction Claudius Buncamper sent a letter to the minister of VROMI (Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure) the honorable Egbert Doran, in which the MP expressed his concerns with the current situation with the land at Emilio Wilson Estate which is currently being exploited by Rain Forest Adventures. One of the MPs main concern is the fact that the general pension funds of St. Maarten (APS) has invested a substantial amount of money in the project, which is now experiencing the negative economic effects of COVID 19.
MP Buncamper noted that he strongly believes that much of the land that was acquired by the company is not being utilized to its fullest potential while the country is in need of land that can be used for agriculture. It is with that in mind that the MP urged the Minister to establish if the company is paying its fair share for the use of domain land and suggested that the fees currently being paid by Rain Forest Adventures be adjusted to compare to those paid by other businesses operating in the area. The MP also enquired about the agreements made between Rain Forest Adventures and various organizations, such as The Emilio Wilson Foundation and the Nature Foundation, that were due to receive subsidies/donations from them, and asked if any such payments have been made.
MP Buncamper also asked about the illustrious plans for agriculture and reforestation of the area and proposed that at least two-thirds of the property acquired by Rain Forest Adventures for agricultural purposes and among other things, a natural park, be retaken for the use of agriculture. MP Buncamper stated in his letter to the minister that during the recently held IPKO meetings reference was made to funds and expertise being available to assist in making the necessary plans for funding in the agricultural field and suggested that a cooperative (Co-Op) be established to properly guide and oversee the agricultural development of the country.

Minister of VROMI

Mr. Egbert J. Doran

Government Administration Building

       Soualiga Boulevard #1

St. Maarten

Ref: Questions regarding land usage for agriculture   

                                                                                                      Philipsburg July 6th 2020

Honorable Minister Doran, 

In 2014/2015 the complete Emilio Wilson estate was given away to the company exploiting the Rain Forest Adventure. Lots of local monies of our pension funds APS was used in said project making the project a must win for the country otherwise we lose our pension monies.

COVID19 spared no one, including the organization in question, but it clearly showed us we need land to grow our own food if we want to be able to survive during these difficult times that lay ahead.

Minister, I strongly believe that much of the land that was granted to the company was not being utilized to its fullest potential and seeing that the country needs the land, I ask that the following be reviewed and adjusted;

 Using the rights to review the domain fees after 5 years, we should see if the company is paying its fair share compared to the others that also have domain lands?

Agreements were made between Rain Forest Adventure and various organizations that were due to receive subsidies/donations from them in the form of payment through their per passenger payment method. Have any such payments ever been paid as per their signed documents with groups like the Emilio Wilson Foundation and the Nature Foundation?What happened to the illustrious plans for agriculture/reforestation of the area?Seeing the need to have land available for agriculture and that the property was acquired for such purposes, including natural park, I strongly suggest that we take back at least two thirds of the lands for agricultural purposes?I strongly suggest that the domain fee be adjusted to compare to what others doing commerce in the area are paying.During the recently held IPKO meetings reference was made to funds and expertise being available to assist in making the necessary plans for funding in the agricultural field. I suggest that a cooperative (Co-Op) be established to properly guide and oversee the agricultural development of the country.

      

   Thank you in advance and await your response.

     Respectfully,

     ___________________
     Claudius A. Buncamper

     Member of Parliament

     Faction Leader, United St. Maarten Party                                      

Claudius Buncamper mentioned 1 time

United St Maarten Party [USP] mentioned 3 times