Unbiased look at the Sint Maarten Elections
PHILIPSBURG--Parliament wants timely information from government when such is requested, especially on matters being handled in the Inter-Parliamentary Kingdom Consultation IPKO. This need was highlighted by United St. Maarten Party Member of Parliament (MP) Frans Richardson on Friday.
His recommendation was supported by other MPs in the debriefing meeting of Parliament's Permanent Committee on Inter-Parliamentary Affairs and Kingdom Relations held in Parliament House. "There needs to be better communication between government and Parliament," Richardson said.
Agreeing with Richardson, National Alliance (NA) MP William Marlin said too often government does not see IPKO topics as a priority. He pointed out that the issue of the Netherlands wanting to put travel restrictions on youngsters from the Dutch Caribbean continues to be an issue and if government does not give its firm position, it risks actions being taken by the Netherlands in the form of legislation. "Government needs to make its position clear."
If government fails to share its position and leaves Parliament with nothing to share at the upcoming sessions of IPKO, querying legislation when it is drafted would possibly be too late, Marlin said.
Parliament has sent government the IPKO Decision List and other supporting letters. Permanent Committee Chairman Sarah Wescot-Williams said there is a need for government and Parliament to meet on the pressing topics of IPKO. Afterwards, MPs can follow up with the relevant government departments to stay current on government's progress.
Parliament Chairman Dr. Lloyd Richardson, who led the delegation to IPKO and took part in Friday's meeting, said he will keep the IPKO topics "in front of the executive branch."
Marlin as a member of the IPKO Education Committee updated fellow MPs on the advances made in easing the burden of student loans incurred by St. Maarteners and the call for the expansion of study financing from the Netherlands to cover students in the Dutch Caribbean who do not have Dutch nationality, but are permanent residents. A similar system exists in the Netherlands.
For the IPKO Energy Committee, MP Franklin Meyers (UP) was nominated by Marlin-Romeo. However, he was not a viable option, because he is not part of Parliament's Permanent Committee for Inter-Parliamentary Affairs and Kingdon Relations. His party is represented on that committee by MP Silvio Matser.
With Matser not available, MP Silveria Jacobs (NA) nominated Marlin. He was accepted as the representative for St. Maarten on the Energy Committee.
Independent MP Leona Marlin-Romeo had indicated her willingness at IPKO to represent the country on the Economic Opportunities in the Kingdom Committee, specifically for the project for an inter-island ferry for Leeward Islands. She received the "full support" of her former party leader MP Frans Richardson (United St. Maarten Party). Her membership did not go ahead due to the country being only allowed one representative. Richardson already represents the country on that committee.
The one member per committee was brought to Parliament's attention by Parliament's General Secretary Nancy Joubert via Wescot-Williams. Marlin-Romeo withdrew her name as a nominee for the committee.
Independent MP Cornelius de Weever was nominated to represent the country on the IPKO Health Committee by Dr. Richardson. This was accepted by the members. Dr. Richardson has served on that committee prior to taking up the post as parliament chairman.
Wescot-Williams serves on the IPKO Integrity Committee and Marlin-Romeo on the Committee on Elimination of Discrimination.
