Finance Minister Marinka Gum
PHILIPSBURG--Finance Minister Marinka J. Gumbs is calling on government, Parliament, institutions and the people of St. Maarten to work more collectively to address the country’s challenges following the adoption of the National Budget 2026.
Reflecting on the conclusion of the budget debate, Gumbs said the adoption of the budget is an important milestone, but stressed that greater communication, collaboration and coordination are needed to turn the government’s plans into results.
“One of the most important lessons I take away from this entire debate is that we have to get it together. Not individually, but collectively,” Minister Gumbs stated.
“When I say ‘we,’ I do not mean only the Council of Ministers. I mean government as a whole. I mean Parliament. I mean the institutions that serve this country. And wherever possible, I mean us as a people.”
Gumbs said St. Maarten is too small and the challenges facing the country are too great for government and institutions to continue operating separately.
“St. Maarten is too small, and the challenges before us are too great for us to continue operating in silos.” The Minister said the three areas that should receive greater attention are communication, collaboration and coordination.
“We need better communication so that government operates with a shared understanding of what is happening, what needs to be done, and where responsibility lies, while continuing to hold each other accountable,” she stated.
“We need collaboration because the challenges facing our country do not neatly begin and end at the door of one ministry. And we need coordination so that all of our efforts, policies, resources, and good intentions actually translate into results.”
Gumbs stressed that while every ministry has its own mandate and every Minister has individual responsibilities, issues that require cooperation between ministries, departments and institutions cannot become about territory, personalities or who receives credit.
“It has to be about getting the job done.” She said the people waiting for government services, business owners and young people looking for opportunities are ultimately concerned with whether government delivers, rather than which ministry or department receives credit.
“The person waiting for the government to deliver a service does not care which ministry gets the credit. The business owner trying to make payroll does not care which department should have communicated with another department. The young person looking for opportunity does not care which institution was supposed to take the first step.”
The Minister also highlighted government’s responsibility toward St. Maarten’s elderly population. “Our elderly, who have worked, contributed, and helped build the St. Maarten we have today, deserve to know that the country they helped build will continue to look after their interests and their dignity.”
“They want government to work. And they have every right to expect us to make it work.”
Gumbs thanked all Members of Parliament for their participation throughout the handling of the National Budget 2026. She thanked those who voted in favour of the budget while also acknowledging the contributions of those who voted against it.
“A vote against does not diminish the value of the questions that were raised, the constructive criticism that was offered, or the recommendations that were put forward,” Minister Gumbs stated. “That too is part of our democratic process, and those contributions have been duly noted.”
She acknowledged that not every suggestion could be addressed within Budget 2026 but said the concerns and recommendations raised during the debate had not been dismissed.
“As we move forward with Budget 2027, I am hopeful that Members will see where relevant recommendations and concerns can be incorporated and reflected in the direction of the next budget.”
With Parliament having adopted the National Budget 2026, Gumbs said the Government now has the financial framework needed to continue carrying out its responsibilities and delivering for the people of St. Maarten.
She also recognised the civil servants who contributed to the preparation and handling of the budget. “A national budget is not prepared by one Minister, one Cabinet, or one department. It is the result of many civil servants working, often long hours and behind the scenes, to keep the machinery of government functioning.”
Gumbs expressed special appreciation to her Cabinet, the Secretary General of Finance and the civil servants within the Ministry of Finance, whose dedication and commitment she said were instrumental in bringing Budget 2026 to this point.
The Minister also addressed the lateness of the budget and said the Government must learn from experience.
“Despite the late handling of this budget, the government continued to meet its monthly obligations. Salaries and other recurring obligations did not come to a halt. Members of Parliament, Ministers, and civil servants continued to receive their salaries on time, and government continued to function.”
“However, I will not use that as an excuse for the lateness of the budget. The budget was late. That is a fact, and we must own it.”
Gumbs said the government has heard the concerns raised by Parliament and the people of St. Maarten and expressed her sincere hope that Budget 2026 will be the last late budget brought before Parliament.
She said work on Budget 2027 is already well underway. The government has received the advice of the Council of Advice and is now moving into the next phase of the trajectory towards Parliament.
The Minister said acknowledging shortcomings does not erase the progress that has been made or diminish the work of civil servants and the accomplishments of Government.
“It simply means that we must be honest enough to recognise that there are areas where we can and must do better. Everything will never be perfect. But perfection cannot be the standard we wait for before we act. When you know better, you do better.”
Gumbs said the generations coming behind today’s leaders are watching how government governs and how leaders interact with one another. “We do not have to show them that leadership is perfect. We have to show them that leadership is responsible.”
The Minister said responsible leadership means being willing to acknowledge when something is not working, listening when criticism is justified and having the courage to make corrections.
“Occupying a position of leadership is not an achievement. What we accomplish for the people while we are here is what matters.”
Gumbs noted that differences of opinion will always exist within Parliament and are an important part of democracy. However, she stressed that beyond those differences there must remain a shared commitment to the country. “At the end of the day, this is not about the government being able to say that it passed a budget. It is about whether the people of St. Maarten can see, feel, and ultimately benefit from the decisions contained within it.”
The Minister called on the people of St. Maarten to continue holding the government accountable.
