PHOTO CUTLINE: President of Parliament Hon. Gracita Arrindell.
Calls for more constructive debate on political reform
President of Parliament Hon. Gracita Arrindell agrees with United Nations (UN) Secretary General (SG) Ban Ki-moon statement where countries have been encouraged to focus on the importance of good governance and efficient public administration and to celebrate the contribution of public servants to society’s progress.
Ki-moon’s message was delivered on Sunday, marking UN Public Service Day.
"Firstly, I fully agree with the remarks made by the UN SG especially when one looks at the political events that transpired during the month of May and the first two weeks of June.
"I agree that inter-linked challenges do require sound, forward-looking public policies and transparent, accountable governance structures. In the case of Country Sint Maarten, I would like to see further constructive debate within the community where electoral reform is concerned. This could be a project for the University of St. Martin to spearhead," President Arrindell said on Monday.
"I would like to take this opportunity to wish public servants of Country Sint Maarten a belated public service day which was observed on June 23. Our public servants have done a great job to date since we achieved country status, but there is still much to be done.
"We recently lost Corporal Welton W. Baker from the Voluntary Corps Sint Maarten, a servant in the truest form, may his soul rest in peace.
"Primary areas of focus that need to be continuously built upon in public governance are prevention of corruption; improving service delivery; promoting innovative mechanisms for citizen participation in policy-making; and advancing knowledge management in government.
"I am very proud of our civil servants! Let us continue to build an inclusive and prosperous and sustainable future for all. I continue to appeal to our nation’s youth to pursue careers in the public sector because the building of country Sint Maarten will not be over in four-years or eight years, it is a continuous process of nation building and national development," President of Parliament Hon. Gracita Arrindell said on Monday afternoon.
The UN General Assembly recently elected by acclamation John William Ashe, the Permanent Representative of Antigua & Barbuda to the UN as President of its sixty-eighth session for a one-year period.
"I would like to congratulate Ambassador Ashe on this appointment by countries around the world. It is not only an achievement for Antigua & Barbuda, but for Caribbean countries and Small Island Developing States. This is definitely an indication of the UN body’s confidence in the ability of Ambassador Ashe to lead the Assembly," President Hon. Gracita Arrindell observed on Monday.