New Government install for St. Maarten days ahead of Christmas
Today’s transfer of executive responsibility comes at a time of renewal, days before Christmas, and days before we herald in the New Year. It is in that spirit of renewal that I trust that you will use your new mandate to herald in a new upgraded governing operating system 21.0. One that offers our island the socio-economic operating platform necessary to drive our vision of an always progressing Sint Maarten. That is, a prosperous Sint Maarten of economic opportunities, social justice, legal protection and safety. A country that is environmentally sustainable, technologically prepared, externally engaged and financially viable. A vision which we can only achieve together.
As you assume your mandate to govern this beautiful country, I trust that you, in keeping with your oath, will make the required strategic choices, aimed at improving the wellbeing of our people.
Accepting the position of Minister through the taking of the oath today, is a solemn expression of your commitment to perform your duties with integrity. It is your pledge of allegiance to the King and the Kingdom Charter, it is your individual declaration to always uphold the Constitution of Sint Maarten and it is your solemn affirmation to always dedicate yourself to foster the wellbeing of the People of Sint Maarten. Through your oath, you have accepted the obligation to serve all the people of Sint Maarten. The fulfillment of this obligation must be based on the principles of democracy, on the rule of law, on respect for the fundamental rights and freedoms of all persons and anchored in our determination as a people to work together. As such I trust that you, going forward, will engage all stakeholders – opposition, civil society, businesses, trade unions and the media, – in a dialogue and partnership on the challenges and opportunities of new sources of growth.
In that regard, there rests on you, individually as Ministers, and jointly as Council of Ministers a great responsibility. Your decisions, your choices, will have lasting influences on the lives of the people of Sint Maarten. Thus, as you deliberate on taking action on the matters before you during your governing period, I wish you wisdom, individually and jointly, in the conduct of your responsibilities as you seek to meet your constitutional responsibility to the people of Sint Maarten.
With that in mind, I hereby congratulate the people of Sint Maarten with the installation of this new government and similarly congratulate each of you and your families with your appointment as Prime-Minister, Minister and Minister Plenipotentiary.
Thank you, God bless you and May God Bless Sint Maarten and protect its coast.
