Bridge fee increase for
Island Council debate
PHILIPSBURG--The Central Committee of the Island Council met on Monday and discussed a draft ordinance regulating an increase in the fees for the Simpson Bay drawbridge.
The increase in fees will be necessary for Simpson Bay Lagoon Authority Corporation (SLAC) to obtain a million-dollar loan for urgent repairs to the bridge. The estimated cost of the repair is NAf. 1.8 million.
The bridge fees being charged vary, based on the tonnage of the boats, but the increases will be between 40 and 100 per cent, depending on the size of the boat.
According to Central Committee chairman Democratic Party Councilman Leroy de Weever, the bridge fees in St. Maarten are very low and, even with the increase, the island remains very competitive compared to other ports in the region.
He told The Daily Herald the proposal that had reached the Island Council spoke of urgent repairs that preferably had to take place before the new tourist season hit its peak.
“A responsible government has to not only take care of a proper functioning of the bridge, but also take care of repairs and maintenance,” De Weever said.
He said Island Council members had posed several questions pertaining to SLAC’s accountability for the past three to four years and the information would be forthcoming. It was agreed that the proposal was ready for public debate, which is scheduled to take place in the week of December 10.
