Dear Editor,
Our Island commemorated Sint Maarten Day over the weekend, amid a cloud of serious concerns regarding the day-to-day management of our still-fragile state of our economy. Current governance of the people’s affairs falls short of a clear direction and focus. There’s no need to beat around the bush any longer.
Given the current stagnated state of affairs, our present Parliament and Government should be sensitive and sensible enough to demonstrate a hands-on approach in its leadership to our citizens, and business community.
Providing timely and accurate information in a structured manner concerning our current and future state of affairs. Instead, our citizens are treated to personal distractions plaguing this current government, while many citizens still suffer in the aftermath of the last hurricane.
The sense of duty to perform and perform diligently without losing sight of what issues need urgent attention is apparently lost on most of these public officials.
How can this government assert its legal and moral authority in the face of such distractions?
With a few appearances here and there from public officials including members of the opposing factions in Parliament, the sense of direction in which our island is heading is as clear as the mud coming sliding down our hills in rainy season. Partly due to the failure of upholding of what was once our Hillside policy. Several issues which deserves immediate attention, (including the state of the airport and the dump) are for example:
* A consumers organization is urgently needed. Construction crooks are reigning supreme at the order of the day. First Hurricane Irma, then people are hit once more this time by some unscrupulous people in the construction industry. Too many people have a negative experience to share. Hopefully government’s coffers will reflect an increase from this sector’s increased activities.
* The deplorable housing situation especially in Belvedere. An urgent reparation and rent-to-buy plan should be afforded to these residents. Some of the reconstruction funds should be earmarked to these citizens thereby providing a great sense of real relief to this community and others affected by Hurricane Irma and living under the same deplorable conditions.
* The boat wrecks still in the lagoon. We deserve to receive a monthly report and a timeline when these wrecks will be out of Simpson Bay Lagoon. What is the delay one year after Hurricane Irma?
* The traffic situation in the Cole Bay-Simpson Bay area can be greatly alleviated when a serious attempt is made to study the reasons for the bottleneck (most are known). One solution to consider is to turn this area into one large roundabout. Bus stops should become real bus stops for buses to pull aside instead of being mere advertising huts. The ring-road in town is neither a ring nor a road! The entire Philipsburg area demands a complete overhaul. I will address this matter in a different article.
* A monthly or weekly report, depending the issues of the state of affairs, to Parliament must be provided to our citizens. Members of Parliament should not be paid full time for part-time work. Have they no conscience?
Has self-interest replaced common interest? Most people do not have time to figure out what’s next on the government’s agenda. The speech given by Governor Holiday on behalf of government on the occasion on the opening of the new Parliamentary year in September should be the guideline going forward for the new government. A government held together by a razor-thin support of one faction in Parliament. A government not held to their task enough by the opposing factions in Parliament.
We have clear choices to make as this year comes to and end and a new year full of promises lies ahead. “Success breeds success” is a popular saying I firmly believe in. Sint Maarten is a great island that deserves to be rebuilt beautifully and without distractions. Question remains, what do you as a citizen deserve and require from your Government. Is your silence consent?
Gracita Arrindell
President, People’s Progressive Alliance (PPA)
