PHILIPSBURG--National Alliance (NA) Member of Parliament (MP) Egbert Doran accused the government of failing to deliver relief to the people of St. Maarten, saying residents have been facing problems with roads, cleanliness, healthcare and rising grocery costs while promised solutions have not materialised.
Doran made the remarks during Friday’s continuation of the debate on the draft 2026 budget in Parliament. He is referring to comments made earlier by a colleague about parents using physical punishment and when such punishment crosses the line into abuse.
Doran used the comparison to criticise the government's performance since taking office.
“Since this government took office, the people of St. Martin have been getting nothing but licks,” Doran said.
He pointed to several issues he said residents are experiencing. “You drive on the road, licks. You look around how dirty the country has become. Licks. Fired over 170 workers from district cleaning. No new tender. Licks. You need proper healthcare and cannot get the help you need. Licks. You go to the supermarket, and you see your money dwindling.”
Doran also criticised what he described as a lack of progress on issues raised previously in Parliament, including promised relief related to GEBE.
He called for the government to change course and focus on delivering tangible results for residents rather than continuing to make promises.
Doran also raised concerns about infrastructure, including the condition of public roads and derelict public restrooms. He said these issues affect both the daily lives of residents and the island's tourism product.
During his address, Doran also recounted the case of a police officer who was injured while on duty and, according to Doran, encountered significant difficulties in obtaining necessary medical care because of bureaucratic cost-cutting measures.
He argued that Parliament must continue holding government accountable and that the needs of the population should take priority over political manoeuvring.
Towards the end of his presentation, Doran said the government had received what he described as a “smooth ride” with 60 or 70 million guilders, but argued that residents still cannot feel the promised relief.
He said people cannot live off government press conferences, which he also criticised for being cancelled too often. Doran said GEBE relief cannot remain a promise and that residents cannot use announcements or speeches to address the cost of groceries.
Doran then referred to the Prime Minister’s own previous words about the need for people to trust what the government tells them. He said that if the government tells residents relief is coming, it must deliver that relief, and if it says people’s burden will become lighter, it must make it lighter. “If you tell the people to trust you, then give them a reason to trust you because trust does not come from another press release. Trust comes from doing what is said and what you say you're going to do.”
Doran warned that St. Maarten could not afford another year of what he described as flying around without direction while residents continued to struggle. “St. Maarten cannot afford another year of flying around with no direction while the people continue to take licks.”
He then directly addressed Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina, President of Parliament Sarah Wescot-Williams and the coalition. “Captain Mercelina, first officer Wescott-Williams, this entire coalition, get the plane under control. Sooner or later, we will run out of fuel. It's time to land the promises and deliver relief.”
Doran pointed to the government’s experience, noting that a former top official at GEBE and the former Minister of VROMI are in Parliament, while the current Prime Minister, he said, “had all the answers in 2024” yet results are still to be seen.
Doran said he remains committed to assisting in getting the country “landed safely” if given the opportunity.
