The programme's focal points are social cohesion, sustainable economy, quality of life and a knowledge-based society. It was approved by the Council of Ministers some two weeks ago and now will have to be presented formally to Parliament.
Wescot-Williams had announced in August that the coalition expected to have the programme ready in time for the new parliamentary year.
The basics of the Governing Programme, presented almost a year after the UP/DP coalition took office, were outlined in Governor Eugene Holiday's "Throne Speech," which was delivered just before Arrindell declared the new parliamentary year open.
Holiday said many of government's policy plans would be tempered because of the domestic and global economic and financial realities of the day. He said, "None of the above, however, will dampen the spirit of moving ahead as a country, responsible for our own destiny and that of our children."
Government's plan is to promote cultural development aimed at continuously strengthening St. Maarten as "a nation of proud people, cognizant of our past and confident of our future, where communities work together to build the country St. Maarten," said Holiday.
As government takes definite shape, "It is clear that the governance cycle must be one of delegated authority and accountability. Processes must be transparent internally and externally to the clients that government serves; namely, the people of St. Maarten," said the governor.
Giving his impression of Holiday's speech about government's plans for the year, leader of the UP parliamentary group MP Romain Laville said it outlined exactly what government planned. He said it was now up to MPs and government to bring to fruition what had been set forth. He said, "The programme is an opportunity for the people, and one for MPs to come together in the people's interest."
Independent MP Patrick Illidge said the plan as outlined was "right on the ball" and gave an insight into what needed to be done.
Newly independent MP Frans Richardson said he had to further dissect all that had been presented by the governor. Similar sentiments were expressed by DP parliamentary group leader MP Roy Marlin and National Alliance (NA) parliamentary group leader MP William Marlin.
Copies of the Governing Programme also were sent to the parliamentary group leaders by Wescot-Williams.
The coalition was heavily criticised by opposition MP Marlin during his speech at the close of the country's first parliamentary year on Monday. He said that after almost one year, there was nothing on which to judge government's progress other than the constant increases in the cost of living.
South Korea US politics Radio Laws of football Nick Barmby The Ashes
No comments:
Post a Comment