Unbiased look at the Sint Maarten Elections
PHILIPSBURG--Opposition National Alliance (NA) and Democratic Party ((DP)) have called on Government to rework the “Ready to Work for You†Governing Programme of the United People’s (UP) party-led coalition into “an executable and accountable programme.â€
Debating the Governing Programme in Parliament would “inevitably lead to much rhetoric, but little substance,†said the two parties. “We know it’s a long shot, but we still call on Government to do the right thing and present to Parliament a document that gives the people of our country some perspective and hope.â€
Government would have “shown maturity and a semblance of independence as well as recognition of the levels of responsibility in our constitutional state by reworking the document instead of submitting the programme as it was received from the coalition of UP/De Weever/Marlin-Romeo/United St. Maarten Party.
The programme “leaves a lot to be desired†and “provides no basis for a constructive discussion in Parliament about government’s plans, its priorities, available and needed resources,†stated NA and (DP) in a joint press release issued on Monday via (DP) leader Member of Parliament Sarah Wescot-Williams.
“Much more was expected, not only after the long wait, but especially after the many promises that were made by the United People’s party, leading up to and during the 2014 electoral campaign,†the parties said.
NA and (DP) called the absence of a basis for constructive discussion in the programme “disturbing†and said it left the country “no wiser†about Government’s plans now compared to what had been worked with prior to the submission of the Governing Programme.
“Worse, Government’s actions continue to contradict its stated objectives and intentions. And there seems to be no synchronisation between ministers,†according to the statement.
Examples of this contradiction and lack of synchronisation were listed as the continued refusal by Government to reach a solution with Princess Juliana International Airport and to jump start the much-needed investments there; disregard for the issues facing St. Maarten Housing Development Foundation and its tenants; lack of attention for the country’s main industry, tourism; and lack of urgency in dealing with integrity in general and an Integrity Chamber in particular.
Other examples given by NA and (DP) are the lack of “actual dialogue†with stakeholders, including Parliament, and the ongoing developments at the Government-owned companies.
The Governing Programme has “no clear objectives for the improvement of education, none for decreasing the cost of living, no actions to curb the many social ills, or a plan of action to decrease violent crime and crimes against women and children,†they said.
