PHILIPSBURG:--- Public-private partnerships (PPPs) are a cornerstone of the current government's strategy for national development, according to Minister of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure (VROMI), Patrice Gumbs Jr., the Minister addressed the value of these collaborations, emphasizing the government's unified approach and its focus on ensuring that such partnerships deliver tangible results for St. Maarten.
Responding to a press release from MP Doran , Minister Gumbs expressed his wholehearted agreement that if PPPs can be used to rebuild infrastructure like docks, they can certainly be applied to rebuilding schools. However, he stressed that extra care must be exercised when these partnerships involve sensitive areas, such as children's education and well-being.
The Minister pushed back against any insinuation that there is a lack of alignment within the Council of Ministers regarding the value of PPPs. He highlighted that these partnerships are a key element of the government-led program, demonstrated by the cross-cutting nature of the recently presented inter-ministerial policy. This policy is designed to ensure that all initiatives align with national priorities and meet established quality standards.
From Words to Action: The Importance of Good-Faith Execution
Minister Gumbs also addressed claims that previous administrations initiated numerous partnerships while the current government is "doing nothing." He posed a direct question to the public: if these partnerships were established, where are their fruits?
He explained that partnerships, no matter how well-intentioned on paper, require active effort and good faith from all parties to succeed. "The reality is, ladies and gentlemen, partnerships do not bear fruit if they're not watered in good faith," he stated. "Different players bring different energy."
This statement underscores the government's focus not just on creating partnerships, but on actively managing them to ensure they are productive and achieve their intended goals. The emphasis is on moving beyond discussions and agreements to concrete actions and visible outcomes that benefit the people of St. Martin. The government's stance is clear: successful public-private partnerships are those that are diligently nurtured and aligned with the nation's strategic objectives.
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