~SAM faction leader remains steadfast behind governing coalition but warns Sint Maarten’s urgent problems cannot be ignored.~
PHILIPSBURG — Soualiga Action Movement faction leader MP Franklyn Meyers has declared that Sint Maarten continues to face a garbage crisis, a deplorable road network and rising crime, even as he reaffirmed SAM’s commitment to the governing coalition.
Meyers delivered his assessment during the closing meeting of the 2025-2026 parliamentary year on Monday, September 7.
Reflecting on what he described as a year filled with pressure, challenges and uncertainty, Meyers acknowledged that considerable work remains in healthcare, justice, education, finance and tourism.
He said many of those shortcomings were again highlighted during the recent debate on the 2026 national budget.
“There is much to be done,” Meyers told Parliament.
However, the SAM leader expressed confidence that the country’s outstanding problems can be addressed during the coming parliamentary year, provided elected representatives remain focused on achieving better results.
GEBE Stabilizing, Other Crises Remain
Meyers said Sint Maarten recently endured a crisis involving utilities company GEBE, which he believes is now under control.
Nevertheless, he warned that other serious problems remain unresolved.
“We still have a garbage crisis. We have a deplorable road network crisis. We have rising crime that is constantly in our face,” Meyers declared.
His remarks amount to a public acknowledgment from within the governing coalition that garbage collection, deteriorating roads and public safety remain major failures demanding urgent government intervention.
Residents and businesses continue to confront overflowing garbage bins, unreliable waste collection and roads damaged by potholes, incomplete repairs and poor maintenance.
Meyers made clear that these conditions are not minor inconveniences. They affect the country’s image, residents’ quality of life and Sint Maarten’s tourism-dependent economy.
Rising Crime Threatens Residents and Tourism
The SAM faction leader placed particular emphasis on the continued rise in crime.
He said public safety must be treated as one of the government’s principal concerns because Sint Maarten depends heavily on visitors feeling safe.
“Being an island that attracts tourism, one of the main concerns that we must address is safety,” Meyers said.
Quoting Justice Minister Nathalie Tackling, Meyers added: “A safe place to live is a safe place to visit.”
His statement comes as residents and businesses confront continuing armed robberies, home invasions and criminals using increasingly aggressive methods to target victims and escape law enforcement.
For Meyers, protecting the tourism industry begins with protecting the people who live on the island. A country that fails to provide security for its residents, he suggested, cannot convincingly market itself as a safe destination to visitors.
Healthcare, Justice and Education Need Improvement
Meyers also identified healthcare, justice, education, finance and tourism as critical sectors requiring further attention.
He did not attempt to dismiss the shortcomings raised during the budget debate. Instead, he acknowledged that parliamentarians had identified several areas where Sint Maarten must perform better.
The SAM leader said the new parliamentary year must be used to confront those weaknesses and produce improvements that residents can see and experience.
He urged every Member of Parliament to believe that Sint Maarten’s best days remain ahead—but emphasized that progress will not occur automatically.
It is a goal, he said, that the people and their elected representatives must work together to achieve.
SAM Remains Committed to Coalition
Despite the serious challenges facing the country, Meyers reaffirmed SAM’s support for the governing coalition.
“SAM remains sure and steadfast to the coalition,” he declared.
Meyers acknowledged that governing has been difficult but argued that political challenges are not unique to the present administration.
According to him, no government in Sint Maarten’s political history has operated without setbacks, criticism and uncertainty.
While people may look back at previous administrations and describe those periods as better times, he said, every government faced its own battles.
His statement signals that SAM intends to remain part of the coalition while pushing for solutions to the country’s garbage, infrastructure, crime and public-service problems.
Parliament Must Defend the Constitution
Meyers reminded parliamentarians that they are the elected defenders of Sint Maarten’s Constitution and have been chosen to represent the country during a critical period in its history.
“We are the ones who have been chosen by the people to represent them in this time in our history,” he said.
Although political parties and individual representatives may change, Meyers said the present Members of Parliament carry the responsibility of guiding Sint Maarten through its current difficulties.
He described that responsibility as both a challenge and an opportunity.
The SAM leader urged his parliamentary colleagues to approach the new year with confidence rather than despair, arguing that Sint Maarten has repeatedly survived hurricanes, political upheaval, economic difficulties and other national crises.
“We don’t grow when things are easy. We grow when we face challenges,” Meyers said.
Better Days Must Be Built
Meyers struck an optimistic tone despite his blunt assessment of the country’s condition.
He said Sint Maarten has repeatedly risen after being tested and must use its present difficulties to refocus on where the country should go.
“Today’s tears—the pressure and the tears that we face today—water tomorrow’s gardens,” Meyers told Parliament.
He said the challenges now confronting the country should compel its leaders to reconsider their approach and guide Sint Maarten toward a stronger future.
Meyers concluded that better days are not behind Sint Maarten but remain ahead—if Parliament, the Government and the public are prepared to confront the country’s problems honestly and work toward solutions.
For the SAM faction, the message closing the parliamentary year was one of continued coalition loyalty—but also a clear admission that garbage, damaged roads, rising crime, and weaknesses in essential public services can no longer be ignored.
