It’s nepotism,
says Duncan
PHILIPSBURG--Home and Constitutional Affairs Minister Roland Duncan had only one word for the recent appointment of Claudius Buncamper to the board of St. Maarten Telecommunications Holding Company: “Nepotism.”
Duncan, who is responsible for good governance and integrity within government, told The Daily Herald there was no other way of looking at the situation.
“Simple: it’s nepotism, whether they like it or not,” he said. He asked whether there was no one else who had the expertise whom the Island Government could have appointed to the positions.
As reported on Wednesday, Claudius Buncamper, the husband of Telecommunications Commissioner Maria Buncamper-Molanus, and Rafael Boasman were appointed as members of the board of St. Maarten Telecommunications Holding Company.
Duncan said Buncamper’s appointment created an opening for more criticism of St. Maarten. “We have to start thinking a little broader than direct personal interest.”
He referred to the WODC report in which corporate governance was one of the chapters. “Whether the report is correct or not, the fact is that it is there.” He referred as well to the pressure the Netherlands has been applying with the introduction of rules of corporate governance and for the Financial Supervisory Council to enforce these rules.
He believes more common sense should have been applied when dealing with matters of corporate governance, considering the delicate position in which the WODC report had put St. Maarten and the pressure being applied by the Dutch Government.
