Dear Editor,
As a concerned citizen and supporter of the Democratic Party DP, I am deeply troubled by Nicole Marlin's recent appointment as Chief of Staff to the Minister of Finance to the Resolution Fund Committee of the Central Bank. This move raises serious corporate governance red flags, particularly regarding conflicts of interest, transparency, and due process.
The Resolution Fund Committee has a critical role in overseeing the Ennia saga and the agreements made by Minister Marinka Gumbs on behalf of St. Maarten. However, appointing Marlin, who directly reports to Gumbs, to review her own boss’s decisions is a clear conflict of interest. How can we expect independent oversight when the appointee is politically and professionally tied to the very person whose agreement she is supposed to evaluate?
Moreover, the lack of transparency in this appointment is alarming. The article states that the Central Bank approved Marlin’s appointment before it was even discussed with the Council of Ministers. This begs the question.
Who initiated this appointment?
Was the position publicly advertised, and were other qualified candidates considered?d
Why was the Council of Ministers seemingly sidelined in a decision of this magnitude?
This is not how a responsible government operates. Good governance requires independence, transparency, and accountability, none of which are reflected in this decision. If the government truly believes in accountability, it should ensure that independent professionals fill key oversight roles, not political insiders with direct ties to the Minister.
The people of St. Maarten deserve better. This appointment should be reversed immediately, and a proper open selection process should be conducted to find a truly qualified and impartial candidate.
We must hold our leaders accountable and demand governance that serves the people, not political interests. If this administration truly cares about ethical leadership, it must rectify this mistake before public trust is further eroded.
Sincerely,
A Concerned DP Supporter
Name Withheld upon Request.
