PHILIPSBURG – During the Council of Ministers Press Briefing of Wednesday December 12th, Prime Minister Leona Romeo-Marlin clarified the miscommunication concerning the Council of Ministers “recess” from Monday December 24th until Tuesday January 8th 2019.
“Let me emphasize that the day-to-day operations of government will continue as customary and the Ministers will continue to carry out their individual tasks. In order to avoid the end-of-the-year rush of advices the Council of Ministers decided to be proactive and informed the civil service on November 21st, 2018 via an internal memo to submit all their pending advices before considering the holidays,” explained Prime Minister Romeo-Marlin.
As is commonly known, the Council of Ministers holds its weekly meetings every Tuesday and when necessary continues on Thursday. The next 2 Tuesdays following December 18th are the 25th which is Christmas day and January 1st which is New Year’s Day. Thus, no meetings of the Council of Ministers can be held, unless it is an emergency. Government will open on January 2nd, 2019.
Prime Minister Romeo Marlin elucidated, “In the spirit of transparency, we believe it is necessary to inform the public at large and clarify any miscommunication and/or misinterpretation. Please note that a majority of Ministers will be on the island and available to meet should any emergency arise. Any Minister taking vacation during this period must avail themselves when necessary.”
