MJP President Louis Mussington
MARIGOT–Opposition party Movement for Justice and Prosperity (MJP) in its New Year wishes has described 2018 as a “disastrous” year in terms of promises and commitments not kept by both Collectivité and State, to the detriment of in particular schools, resulting in protest actions by parents, teachers and unions which are still continuing into January.
“Without that constant pressure from parents and unions for the schools to be ready and repaired, things would have been be a lot worse,” MJP President Louis Mussington said. “But as it is the teacher unions today are calling for strikes because seven of the mobile classrooms promised for January 10 for the Collège in La Savane will not be operational by that date.
“On education I think its high time we make the move to get the convention signed pertaining to the article of the organic law regarding educational programme development in St. Martin.
“The Recteur of Guadeloupe said last year he would look at it seriously, but the initiative must come from the President of the Collectivité to say we are ready. The State is ready so why the delay on our side? I say wake up… It’s about saving our young people and delivering quality education. We want our own young people taking the elite jobs in the future.”
He added he had hoped to see the execution of training programmes, especially for young people, in the reconstruction process.
“This is not happening. Our young people need to be involved in the rebuilding of this country. If the programmes are not organised in a way to include them, we will again have people from outside carrying out the work and that’s what’s so discouraging for our young people.
“It leads to a downward spiral when youth turn to an underground economy, selling drugs to survive and end up behind bars. I’m reaching out to the President (Gibbs) to take the bull by the horns and take the necessary measures to organise these training programmes and create the awareness campaign around them.”
Mussington said he is all for promoting agriculture as another source of employment and training for young people, since various initiatives by government have sought to revitalize this sector. Significant European funds are available but unfortunately filling in the complex forms to apply for the funding has proved to be a stumbling block for some.
“There should be a support system to help people apply for this funding. The Collectivité can’t give everyone jobs. There’s a future in livestock breeding. But there must be political will to get it done, but one doesn’t sense that there is that will.”
He said he wanted more people to take initiatives, such as creating foundations, associations, cultural programmes, address social issues, education, and economic development.
“We cannot sit back and wait for local or State government to do it for us or make decisions for us. We should be more productive and creative. These foundations can be a voice for the voiceless. It would serve a great purpose.
“We need to work together in full unity. We can only rebuild this country without political divisions. Decisions that are taken must be in the general interest. The Collectivité must help those who have business plans and support them in 2019.
“The rebuilding effort will only be successful when we see our young men and women becoming prosperous. In the old days all the local people had their own businesses and we want to see that come back again.”
On a personal note, his message to the population for 2019 is to take care of physical and mental health, watch the diet, take exercise and have regular check-ups. And instead of bringing each other down which is only counter-productive, lift the spirts of one another instead, reshape the mindset and do away with the crab-in-the-barrel mentality.
He said his thoughts were with the people in various districts who still have not benefitted from the Collectivite’s roofing programme and assured them of his support.
Source: The Daily Herald https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/84344-mjp-we-can-only-rebuild-the-country-when-we-stop-the-political-divisions
View comments
Hide comments