PHILIPSBURG:--- The National Alliance has requested clarity from the Chairman of Parliament on the purpose of an informal meeting between the new Cabinet of Ministers and the Members of Parliament, termed a "meet and greet" upon the request of the Honorable Prime Minister Gumbs which was to be held on Monday January 12 at 9.30 am at Parliament and subsequently postponed.
Seeing the fact that the new cabinet is incomplete and that all current members are known to us, The National Alliance faction in Parliament would like to know the reason for this 'informal meeting'. We are not interested in a meeting without substance.
We are, as are the people of St. Maarten whom we wholly represent, looking forward with keen interest to a presentation of the long awaited Governing program for 2014-2018, with a clear explanation of the short and long and term strategic goals and objectives with clear connection to the proposed budget of 2015 and future budgets.
It is a matter of public knowledge that the National Alliance and its coalition partners were ready after just three (3) weeks to present a full government as well as a governing program for 2014-2018 with clear cut strategic objectives translated into actions and projects to be carried out across the board by all seven ministries of government
taking into consideration the current situation.
It is also common knowledge that since September 2014 the UPP led government has not been ready to govern and that the business of the people have not been properly attended to. In the three months it has taken to appoint a cabinet, the task is as yet incomplete.
- What are the priorities of this government?
- How do we aim to carry out much needed projects seeing the projected budget cuts taking aim at social and development projects?
- What are the plans for tax reform in order to improve tax compliance and increase income for the government of St. Maarten?
- What measures are being taken to curb waste and unnecessary spending within government's organization?
The new and returning ministers have much to do (some with double tasks) to properly assess the current situation, and plan accordingly for this governing period. The people of St. Maarten have been waiting long enough, and while it was within the parameters of the law, in reality the obvious disgruntlement of the people with this lengthy process cannot be ignored.
The National Alliance looks forward to a formal meeting of Parliament where the Cabinet of Ministers can be introduced including a presentation of the Governing Program 2014-2018 indicating the country's priorities, and awaits clarity from the Chairman of Parliament.
NA Press Release
