POND ISLAND--“Our product is not collapsing as it is perceived by others,” said newly appointed Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transportation and Telecommunication (TEATT) Minister Mellisa Arrindell-Doncher of the country’s vital tourism industry at her first Council of Ministers press briefing on Wednesday.
The “others” Arrindell-Doncher was pointing to included opposition United People’s (UP) party Members of Parliament (MPs) who have actively questioned the National Alliance (NA)-led Government about what they term lack of attention and inaction to tourism, the country’s main economic generator.
“Contrary to some sentiments, I want to assure the people of St. Maarten that crucial work in the tourism sector is being executed,” the new Minister said in a prepared statement she read at the briefing. “We will counter negative narratives through hard work and with facts.
“I stand here today with confidence as I see the greatness of St. Maarten. I feel it. I believe it. It’s who we are. And that is how we approach governing – not with fear, but with confidence, with recognition of the depths of our challenges and with confidence that together we can solve them.
“I hold no misconceptions about the work ahead for St. Maarten and what is expected of the Ministry of TEATT.”
Arrindell-Doncher thanked Justice Minister Rafael Boasman, who served as acting TEATT Minister until her swearing-in on Tuesday. “I think Minister Boasman has done an incredible job and I can only hope to match that level of energy and drive as I start my tenure,” she said.
Her seven-member Cabinet, in which she served as senior policy advisor from December 2016 until taking the oath of office, has “worked diligently” over the past few months in executing the Ministry’s tasks. She described them as “a hard-working, dedicated group of public servants who have never stopped working since this Government was sworn in.”
Her Chef de Cabinet is Cecil Nicholas, the former Minister candidate for the Ministry of TEATT. His name was withdrawn from the running after several issues arose in his screening process. He, like Arrindell-Doncher, is an active member of United St. Maarten Party (US Party).
Also serving in the Cabinet are Senior Policy Advisor Julian Lake, Legal Advisor Marieke van Zadelhoff, Executive Assistant Claudia Arrindell, Communications/Public Relations Michael Granger, Executive Secretary Natasha Richardson and Driver/Office Assistant Michael York.
The Cabinet of the TEATT Minister can be reached by calling tel. 520-2702.
