Dear Editor,
St. Maarten, we need to be very decisive and take the lead now. In this serious phase, let me bring some facts into perspective: The government’s vision and intention in creating Domain Lands many decades ago was clear. Create land in long lease for the people of St. Maarten. Stimulate economic investment. Strengthen our tourism industry from its infancy. Drive economic development, strength, stability, and growth in the private sector. Create jobs to curb unemployment. Generate revenues for government through long lease fees.
Through our St. Maarten Constitution we established the Government, as well as the Parliament of St. Maarten, being the highest legislative body and representation of the People. It is Parliament, on behalf of our People, that must establish the position. Through motions, ordinances, or laws. We need an eventual law on the Issuance of Domain Lands that is realistic, practical, transparent, fair, impartial, and simplified.
One that will never place the People of St. Maarten at a disadvantage when trying to obtain land in long lease to build homes, invest in families, and invest in their own land. I am calling on all levels and all of the People on St. Maarten to address this now. So that others from the outside cannot dictate to us what should happen, or in what direction we go.
We must also take areas of the Didam Arrest into serious consideration. But let us be clear: This is a model. A model for many models. How we handle Domain Lands today will show how we empower and protect our People tomorrow. It will show how we stimulate an efficient, decisive, and investment-friendly market.
It will open doors in many areas:
* Investment opportunities for local and international partners who respect our rules.
* Higher education and skills training that are tied to real jobs.
* Housing that is affordable and accessible for our families.
* Properly planned and structured comprehensive infrastructural and area zoning development.
* Regulating our traffic and public transportation so our people can move freely and efficiently.
* Proper healthcare for every citizen.
* Protecting both our children, as well as our seniors who built this nation.
The focus now is for Government to settle all pending matters and files at the Ministry, Kadaster, and our Notaries. Especially those stuck in so-called “exception situations” as is being stated in the Didam Arrest. We cannot keep our People and our economic development hostage anymore. It is hurting our own people.
It puts St. Maarten at a disadvantage as a preferred destination for domestic and international investment. We see building and development permits delayed in huge backlogs due to lack of manpower, indecisiveness, and at times, not fully understanding the dynamics needed to build a strong, vibrant, and globally competitive economy. Here is what we must do immediately:
1. Clear the backlog. Make budgetary reservations if needed. Bring back experienced, retired professionals for a period of six months to assist, including civil servants that have left civil service on pension. Let’s just get the job done once and for all, without further delay.
2. Present permanent solutions in Government and on the Floor of Parliament.
3. Form a local task force of experienced experts who know St. Maarten, government, and the notaries. Let them guide us. Let them advise any consultancy services we contract. Let us not make the mistake of excluding local knowledge, expertise, and vast experience on all levels.
The Domain Lands belong to the People of St. Maarten. Their interest must come first. This is a serious public appeal. It is a message to awaken the people of St. Maarten. We must take charge. We must take the lead in determining the direction of our destiny.
Again, I stress: It is us, the people of St. Maarten, who must at all times take the lead and establish the direction of our destiny. If we fail to act now, and fail to make decisive decisions now, we will fail our children, our economy, and the next generation.
History will single out all of us who allowed it to happen and did not stand up to make the difference and the change. So let us lead by example. Let us make the difference. Let us be the example, the change, and the difference.
Achken Roberto Richardson
