Philipsburg:--- Independent Member of Parliament Frans Richardson told reporters on Monday afternoon that he cannot and will not condone the current political developments on St. Maarten. MP Richardson said last year he wholeheartedly supported the NA led coalition government "Working for the People". MP Richardson said he did that simply because the UP/DP/I-1 government failed to address several pressing issues that were plaguing the people of St. Maarten and necessary for improving the quality of life for the people of St. Maarten and restore the economy on St. Maarten. MP Richardson said he is just as surprised as many of the people on St. Maarten who are now confronted with the latest development where they are being asked to support the same coalition (UP/DP) that were thrown out of government last year. Richardson said he is of the opinion that the UP/DP coalition was never interested in serving the needs of the people. He further explained that the NA led coalition government was about to put meaningful policies in place that would have restored confidence in the country's economy before the Members of the UP/DP chose to break the NA led coalition government.
The Independent Member of Parliament said this is done under the false pretense that the NA led coalition lacked cohesion and professionalism. Richardson said this is just an excuse to justify their personal motives and lawless agendas. MP Richardson made clear that he cannot condone such irresponsible and reckless action. He said that St. Maarten's democracy cannot continue to support or maintain politicians that are hell bent on ignoring the needs of the people for their narrow self interest.
Richardson said that if the members of the UP/DP Members of Parliament want to be true to the electorate then they need tell them the real reason why they want to return to power for the remaining term.
MP Richardson said that it is time for the people (electorate) to put an end to the negative political cycle by calling for an early election to guarantee everyone a meaningful say on how this country's government is administered. "This is no time for playing musical chairs because there are politicians who do not know how to put the people first in their government program. For the sake of clarity let me make clear that I cannot support such an unsteady coalition since I am known for being a serious representative of the people and one that listens to you the people of St. Maarten and I am committed to do everything possible to ensure that you the people can have a better life on St. Maarten, while I will ensure that St. Maarten would remain an ideal place for investors to invest. Working for the people of St. Maarten is my only priority and ensure that your interest are taken care of. In order to do so then the Parliament of St. Maarten must be dissolved and call for new elections that would restore confidence in government." MP Richardson said whatever shortcomings exists in the administrative and legislative levels of Government can be resolved with serious and transparent debating. The priority is supposed to be serving the general interest of the people of St. Maarten, restoring confidence in the people and the political system, and uplifting the fragile economy.
MP Richardson said disrupting the functioning of government with a simple majority is once again gambling with the people's trust, with uncertainty and political instability. Richardson said that the current political developments are the last thing St. Maarten needs especially with the negative consequences that will come along with it. He said if the people of St. Maarten want to remain true to the country's constitution then the people should have the final word on what is currently taking place in the political arena. Therefore, the only solution to resolve the current impasse is a fresh election to return government to normalcy.
MP Richardson said he listened to the eight Members of Parliament who stated the lack of cohesion and professionalism is the reason they pulled their support from the government. He said he had to express his feelings about the statements made by the new set of MPs who claims to have formed the majority. He said that these are the same people that formed part of the government two years ago and their Prime Minister has the Government Administration Building in her portfolio and those members that are supporting their Prime Minister never raised any issues about the unfinished Government Building. MP Richardson said the most important building of the country is sitting for eight years and it is still unfinished and no one that is supporting the Prime Minister is attempting to fix the problems of the Government Building. Richardson said another controversy that was brought forward is the post office. "These very two Members of the Democratic Party made an issue about the functioning of the Post Office, vehicles and furniture was removed from the Post Office and the two DP MPs said nothing. It has been three years now that electoral reform has been plaguing St. Maarten and absolutely nothing is done about it. The only thing we are seeing is lip service upon lip service and when it's not lip service its Zumba that is taking place on St. Maarten. Enough is enough and the people of St. Maarten has had enough with what is transpiring on St. Maarten where the same leader with a minority seats but holds the portfolio of Prime Minister is trying to be the Prime Minister for the third time."
Richardson said what transpired in Parliament on Monday is very disgraceful and democracy was trampled upon because Members of Parliament made their own Parliamentary procedures when they conducted an illegal meeting. Richardson said what took place in Parliament is Kangaroo Court of Parliament or better yet a coup by eight members of Parliament. He said that those MPs highjacked the meeting they requested and did what they wanted. Richardson said that one of the biggest issues that were being discussed is the justice park and he presented the motion on the continuation of the justice park during the budget debate even though he had nothing to do with the justice park. MP Richardson said if the MPs had a problem with Minister of Justice Roland Duncan they could have brought a motion of non-confidence against him and let him go home, but the justice park did not start with the NA led coalition, it started with the UP/DP coalition. He said politicians need to stop playing games with the people and begin to get serious because the excuses they made were flimsy. Richardson said what took place on Monday is that seasoned politicians led the younger politicians that do not have the experience down the drain.
When SMN News asked MP Richardson if he was aware that there were issues or grievances with Member of Parliament Romaine Laville, Richardson said at no time MP Laville mention he was unhappy. He said the MP presented several motions and it was all passed during the budget debate but days later he left the government and went with the same people whom he criticized. MP Richardson also confirmed that MP Laville got everything he asked for. "He wanted bus and taxi licenses for his people and the Minister TEATT granted them to him while his leader and government "UP" denied him. He wanted $400,000.00 for TEMPO last year and that too he got. MP Laville also got a contract from the Ministry of VROMI for the Garden Boyz. Laville got more than anyone in the NA led Government got or even requested." MP Richardson also confirmed that TEMPO submitted a request for $600,000.00 for the 2013 TEMPO show but that has not yet been dealt with.
