Sint Eustatius – The Executive Council of the Public Entity of St Eustatius formally decided to implement programs and projects centrally by establishing a Programme- and Project Management Office (PPMO). The launch of PPMO has in part been made possible by the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations of the Netherlands.
PPMO Establishment Rationale
Within municipalities, it is often challenging to formulate, execute and implement programs and projects effectively and efficiently. Programs and projects often require specific specialist knowledge, skills, and competencies on technical, financial, social, environmental, and other levels that are insufficiently available within (small) organizations. In recognition of this, the Public Entity on St Eustatius has established the PPMO.
An organizational assessment has been conducted to determine the optimal PPMO organisational structure. Subsequently, in consultation with the responsible directorates within the Public Entity and associated ministries in the European Netherlands, short-term and long-term priorities have been jointly identified. Based on these goals, projects have been defined, and gap analysis in terms of knowledge, skills, and competencies, including the organization of (procurement-) procedures, equipment, infrastructure, and buildings, has been conducted.
The Executive Council of the Public Entity St Eustatius has set priorities for the project’s sustainable and inclusive design and implementation by the Program- and Project Management Office. One of the essential requirements is that knowledge and skills should be transferred to the greatest and fullest extent to the existing organization and its permanent employees.
To satisfy the wishes of the Executive Council, shared responsibilities between Public Entity Departments and PPMO have been established. The responsibility for Quality Assurance of programs and projects lies within PPMO. The responsibility for Quality Control lies with the Department. Intensive cooperation between the relevant directorate, PPMO, and external stakeholders is vital to Programme and project success.
PPMO Priorities
PPMO programs and projects share a clear link between what is desired and what is possible considering corresponding budgets made available by the Public Entity and the various ministries in the European Netherlands. This has resulted in full awareness and prioritization of feasible and achievable short-term objectives and results, from which long-term outcomes may flourish.
Currently, the Executive Council and PPMO have jointly prioritized the below projects:
1. Airport water drainage;
2. Repair and restoration of coastal vulnerabilities and other erosion projects;
3. Construction of airport boulevard;
4. Renewal of Oranjebaaiweg;
5. The revitalization of Road Behind the Mountain;
6. Construction of a new school building for the Gwendoline van Putten School;
7. Construction of After School Care Building;
8. Seaport Development Plan;
9. Enforcement of roaming animals.