Dear Editor,
I was informed that there is an understanding in the new government that they will adopt the motto of the Three Musketeers “All for one and one for all.” This sounds marvelous because this would mean more transparency and control. This should contain what since 10-10-’10 has become common practice “Minister making deals.”
However, I am skeptical that this will work in our political environment. Why not? Because history has shown that the majority of the professional Ministers (Ministers who were not on a political list during the elections), if not all, after having served usually end up on a political list in the very next election. So, it is logical to expect that that Minister who is occupying a certain portfolio, in one way or the other will be vying for him- or herself.
Where am I going with this? Not farfetched and in plain daylight. The Minister of Education who inherited a situation where there is a shortage of 44 school teachers for the academic year 2018-2019 (not a pleasant announcement) displayed stamina because he has to play the hand that is dealt to him and we have not read of any other Minister offering a shoulder.
What we have read rather is Minister Lee taking credit for organizing six construction training courses (education) in collaboration with MIT IT, the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labour, VSA and NIPA. What was remarkable in the article is that special mention was made that the grant agreement is following through on the hospitality training program (education) that began under the former government (of which both Romeo-Marlin and Lee were members) in December 2017. A pleasant announcement, but not once was any Minister of Education mentioned in that article.
Then on page 10 of The Daily Herald of August 10, 2018, again two Ministers come together for a photo shoot, showing the progress that is being made in the quest to construct the new general hospital for St. Maarten. Another pleasant announcement.
I am aware that it is not the newspaper which organizes or prepares these photo shoots, but a picture speaks 1,000 words. Again, I have to mention that our reporters do not ask the appropriate nor difficult questions. I would try to avoid the perception that the newspaper is biased.
I hope that our government will take this into consideration and address this issue forthwith. “Constant dropping wears a stone” is usually used as the result of negative behavior. We desperately need a stable government, which is everyone’s responsibility.
Russell A. Simmons
