Dear Editor,
During this week’s parliament meeting, instead of offering concrete solutions to resolve this nation’s energy crisis, many members of parliament blamed past governments for the current problem. Although blaming others has been a natural instinct among humans since the creation of the Garden of Eden, I am not interested in listening to members of parliament doing it.
Why no member of parliament offered the name of another company that can send container generators in less than three months to St. Maarten? One member of parliament identified last week an island that can be contacted for these types of generators. This is a time all members of parliament need to work together to bring relief to the consumers as quickly as possible.
What will happen to this country if a major hurricane strikes St. Maarten in the midst of this crisis? What if all members of parliament conduct themselves in the same fashion?
This is a crisis that will reveal which members of parliament truly care about the needs of the St. Maarten populace. Additionally, this crisis will uncover which members of parliament are true and visionary leaders. This is no time for politics. It’s a time for statesmanship and unity. If all members of parliament work together the crisis will be addressed.
Many of my friends have expressed to me that they doubt all members of parliament understand the gravity of this situation. Some of them told me that most of the members of parliament have homes outfitted with generators. Thus, how can they truly comprehend the cries of the citizens? This is what some of my friends keep enquiring about.
Unlike many members of parliament, many citizens cannot afford generators. Does the government have a plan to assist very vulnerable and impoverished families with generators? The cost of many of these generators exceeds the minimum wage.
If this crisis persists for months certainly it will adversely impact the economy, crime and education. Imagine students being unable to do homework and study due to longer power outages.
In closing, together we will rise from this crisis or many of us will fall together.
Kenneth Cook
