OF SINT MAARTEN
GOVERNMENT
SEMPER PRO GREDIENS
Minister Of Public Housing
Minister Of Public Housing
Honorable Minister Maurice Lake Education:Maurice Lake started out his career path back in 1987 at the Aruba Hospitality School where he received an Associate in Hospitality and Restaurant. This was his launch pad to Johnson and Wales University where he attained his Bachelor’s Degree in Hospitality Management, a Masters in Managerial Technology, and a M.B.A. in International Business.In 1993 Lake received a Master’s in Business Education from the Rhode Island University. Career Highlights:Maurice Lake has served in many capacities at the public sector level. He was advisor to the Commissioner of Tourism and Public Works of the Island Government of Sint Maarten 1996-2010; served as Commissioner of Public Works during the transition period to Country in 2010.Lake also served as a member of the Netherlands Antilles Social Economic Council (SER), 1995 to 2010.Maurice Lake started out his public sector career in the Government Department of Trade and Economic Development, 1994 to 1995.In the private sector, Lake worked as an accountant at Pelican Resort & Casino from 1985 to 1986. He later served as Johnson & Wales University, Providence, Rhode Island, as Assistant Dorm Director from 1989 to 1993; worked as a Customer Service Clerk at the Bank of Nova Scotia from 1993 to 1994.Lake worked as Assistant Director of the University of St. Martin from 1995 to 1996 and as a Faculty member who was an Instructor of courses in the Business Program and Coordinator for the Business Division from 1993 to 2013. Experience (Political Career):Maurice Lake currently serves as Minister of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure for the Government of Sint Maarten and was appointed as a “professional minister.”Prior to taking up this post, Lake served as Advisor in the Cabinet of the Minister of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure. Interests:Maurice Lake has been very active in community activities. He was the Co-founder of Help Our Children Foundation; Founder of the St. Peters Community Council; and Co-Founder and Former President of the Netherlands Antilles Student Association.
Ministry of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure
The Ministry Organization:
The Secretary General gives direction to the ministry and is supported by the Staff Bureau.
The ministry has one policy department: VROM that is responsible for preparation of policy and legislation and the supervision of the execution thereof.
The Ministry has 5 executive services:
1. New Projects
Ensures the realization of high quality level of diverse building, utility and civil engineering projects for St. Maarten.
2. Infrastructure Management
Is responsible for equipping en proactively managing the public areasin order to safeguard a good quality of the spatial surroundings in the interest ofthe public of St. Maarten.
3. Domain Affairs
Deals with all aspects of policy and administration in regard to land and real property in the broadest sense of the word. The department does this by rendering its service to internal and internal clients in a direct, clear and accurate manner.
4. Permits
Is focused on a professional, efficient and client friendly manner of processing and issuance of permits within the work-sphere of the ministry of VROMI.
5. Inspection
Is responsible for the inspection and control of domain, building, (public) properties, environment and work safety to safeguard an environmentally safe, structured and safe living and work surroundings for the public.
Vision
The realization of an optimal living, working and recreational climate for Country St. Maarten through rendering service as efficient as possible to the benefitof the government, citizens and the community.
Mission
The mission of the ministry consist of care for the integrated infrastructure and management for the public area through preparation of policy, the enforcement and supervision thereof, in order to create an optimal living, working and recreational climate for the citizens of St. Maarten.
Organizational objectives:
• To care for and coordinate the affairs of Country St. Maarten in the area of spatial development, public housing, environmental and nature management and the management of public areas and facilities, as well as the execution of the government responsibilities in these areas.
• To promote a balanced and spatial development.
• To promote the realization and management of the physical infrastructure and the related facilities.
• The management of the real property of the country and to support the government entities of the country therein.
Main tasks:
• Policy advising in the areas of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and the care for the Infrastructure in the broadest sense;
• The care for civil technical works, public cemetaries, public areas, street- and traffic furnishings, street lighting and urban renewal;
• To care for spatial planning, environment and nature, domain and safety, management and management of land, buildings and properties of St. Maarten;
• To care for concerns in the area of underground infrastructure, drainage provisions, building-, utility- and civil technical and related projects.
• To care for effective policy in the area of solid and liquid waste, rent and land policy.
• To care for representation of St. Maarten in the area of VROMI, locally and internationally, the translation of international treaties into related policy and advising and supporting of the government organizations including within the Kingdom context herein;
• To care for the issuance of rent subsidy and the prevention of land speculations.