SXMElections.com

PHILIPSBURG: --- Minister of Finance Ardwell Irion told reporters on Wednesday at the Council of Ministers' press briefing that decisions taken by former commissioners regarding long lease land left the government with no cannon fees.
Ardwell said that since taking office he encountered letters and emails that were sent to people that are basic promises without proper paperwork.
He said in at least two cases a former commissioner indulged in land swapping but never issued to the persons that have been occupying government lease land with no long lease or deed in place. Because there is no long lease issued these persons are not paying any cannon fees. The minister said that some families were basically duped by the former commissioner that conducted the land swap with them.

Some months ago, the ministers campaigned on collecting overdue cannon fees that are owed to the government. Ardwell said the government is establishing a task force with legal minds in order for them to legally collect those fees. The minister of finance also explained that there is a need for a proper task force with legal minds because the government should be able to collect new revenues. He explained that he encountered a case that is about 20 years old where a land swap was done but no deed was issued even though people are living on the land. He said that the project is much larger than they anticipated when they launched it.

 Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of VROMI also confirmed the situation in the department of domain affairs which he said has been there by design to facilitate some persons and politicians. Doran said that the team including the task force with legal minds would have to work through each case in order to straighten out the long lease land and cannon fees.