~National Alliance faction leader condemns late budget, government delays, rising GEBE bills and failure to turn announcements into results.~
PHILIPSBURG — National Alliance faction leader MP Egbert Jurendy Doran has declared that Parliament must stop allowing ministers to treat scrutiny as negativity, warning that the legislature was established to hold government accountable—not to make governing comfortable.
Doran delivered the forceful message during the closing meeting of the 2025-2026 parliamentary year on Monday, September 7.
He said the end of the parliamentary year should not merely be used to recall speeches and meetings, but to determine what actually changed for residents.
“Did the people of Sint Maarten feel better represented over the past year because we were here? Did the Government work better? Did Parliament do enough?” Doran asked.
The National Alliance leader said the next parliamentary year must be defined by fewer announcements, less division and significantly more execution.
2026 Budget Passed at “Quarter to Twelve”
Doran strongly criticized the late handling of the 2026 national budget, which Parliament debated and approved when the financial year was nearly over.
“The budget for 2026 was debated here and passed when the year is almost over—quarter to twelve,” he said.
According to Doran, the delay was not simply an administrative failure. It undermined Parliament’s ability to influence government priorities, question proposed expenditures and protect public funds before the money was spent.
“Parliament is supposed to question priorities, scrutinize spending and challenge decisions while those decisions can still be influenced,” he said.
By the time the budget reached Parliament, Doran argued, much of the money had already been spent, projects had either progressed or stalled and major decisions had already been taken.
He said this significantly weakened Parliament’s oversight role.
Accountability Must Include Completion
Doran said Parliament heard repeated references during the budget debate to accountability, collaboration, communication and coordination.
He added another word: completion.
“We can communicate concerning a problem. We can collaborate and coordinate about how we think we should solve that problem. But if we never actually complete the work, those persons outside are going to continue living in the same position,” he warned.
Doran said completion means securing Mullet Bay for the people of Sint Maarten, delivering GEBE relief, helping market vendors, supporting senior citizens, improving government services and creating structured opportunities for young people.
He also called for serious investment in sports and the creative arts so that talented residents are not denied opportunities because adequate support was unavailable.
“Our artists and creatives are not only part of our culture; they are part of our economy,” Doran said.
The faction leader said the government has become skilled at announcing policies, projects, studies and legislation, only to tell Parliament months later that officials are still “working on it.”
“At some point, ‘working on it’ has to become ‘it is done,’” he declared.
Difficult Questions Are Not Negativity
Doran accused government officials of treating requests for information and difficult parliamentary questions as political attacks.
“When Parliament asks difficult questions, it is called politics. When we request documents, it becomes a problem. When we challenge a minister, it is called negativity,” he said.
“Parliament was not created to make governing comfortable. Parliament was created to scrutinize government.”
Doran said the National Alliance faction took that responsibility seriously by focusing on financial accountability, banking access, infrastructure, permits, revenue generation, maritime development, the creative economy, youth opportunities, the cost of living and relief from high GEBE bills.
Some of the faction’s proposals were approved unanimously, others received majority support, and some were rejected, he said.
“But we did not only criticize. We brought alternatives. We brought solutions for our people,” Doran stated.
“People Do Not Live According to a Spreadsheet”
Doran identified the cost of living as one of the greatest pressures confronting the population.
He said residents experience the crisis at supermarkets, when rent is due, and when GEBE bills arrive.
Government officials may speak about growth percentages, improved finances and budget surpluses, but Doran questioned whether ordinary residents actually experience that reported success.
“People do not live according to a spreadsheet,” he said. “They live according to what is left after the bills are paid.”
Doran pointed to his motion concerning the price-controlled basket of essential goods, which was adopted unanimously.
He said the basket must reflect how residents actually shop. Consumers should be able to identify which essential products are controlled, know their maximum prices and see evidence that the Government is enforcing those prices.
GEBE Cannot Remain an Annual Discussion
Doran warned that the GEBE crisis cannot continue returning to Parliament every year without a concrete solution.
“We have heard explanations. We have heard presentations. But the bills are still coming, and they are still on the rise,” he said.
“You can explain the fuel cost to a pensioner ten different ways. At the end of the explanation, the pensioner still has to find a way to pay that bill.”
Doran demanded that the Government enter the new parliamentary year with workable alternatives.
If one proposal cannot work, the Government must develop another. If new legislation is required, it should come before Parliament. If the Government needs financial resources, it must state the cost.
“Government cannot keep explaining the problem to the people of Sint Maarten while the people have to continue paying for it,” he declared.
“No Road Tender Published” Under Current Minister
Doran also criticized the Government’s handling of the country’s deteriorating roads.
He said the budget debate confirmed that no road tender had been published during the current VROMI minister's tenure.
“That should concern everyone,” Doran said.
“Roads do not care who is in the coalition or the opposition. Potholes do not vote. Infrastructure does not have a party card. It simply needs to be maintained.”
The MP said road repairs and infrastructure maintenance should not be delayed by political rivalry or bureaucratic excuses.
Residents require safe roads regardless of which party controls the ministry or which faction raises the concern.
Permit Delays Carry Economic Consequences
Doran also highlighted delays in processing building permits.
“A permit sitting in an office is not just a paper,” he said.
“It can represent a mortgage, a family wanting to build, a contractor waiting to hire workers or a business waiting to expand.”
Every unnecessary delay, Doran argued, carries an economic cost. Projects cannot begin, workers cannot be hired and investments remain frozen while applications sit inside government offices.
He called for smoother public services so that residents are not continually frustrated while navigating the very institutions created to assist them.
Government Leaving Revenue on the Table
Doran said Government must take revenue generation more seriously and stop placing additional pressure on the same taxpayers.
He proposed broadening the country’s revenue base through visitor-related revenue, maritime development, the creative economy, improved collection, long-lease income, investment and more efficient government operations.
“Government cannot keep saying there is no money while leaving potential revenue sitting on the table,” Doran said.
He pointed to the National Alliance-led Government’s actions during the COVID-19 pandemic as evidence that relief and revenue generation can be pursued simultaneously.
Doran cited the Sint Maarten Stimulus and Relief Plan, which supported businesses, employees and families while the economy was largely shut down.
He also referred to the Enterprise Support Project implemented through the Trust Fund and National Recovery Program Bureau, which provided financing, grants and assistance to micro, small and medium-sized businesses.
Doran said efforts were also made during that period to collect outstanding long-lease payments and address backlogs in lottery and casino fees.
“Even in a crisis, government can find ways to provide support while strengthening the country’s finances,” he said.
Parliament Must Track Every Promise
Doran acknowledged that Parliament must also improve its own performance, particularly after motions are adopted and ministers make commitments.
“If a minister makes a commitment, record it. If information is promised, follow up. If a deadline is given, check it,” he urged.
Without follow-up, Parliament risks becoming part of the same cycle it criticizes.
Doran said motions should not disappear after approval, and ministers' commitments must be tracked until fulfilled or publicly explained.
“Nobody Can Build Sint Maarten From a Corner”
The National Alliance leader also called for an end to the destructive political and social divisions affecting the country.
He said Sint Maarten has become separated into competing camps: coalition against opposition, party against party, Dutch side against French side, local against foreigner and government against the private sector.
“Everybody is protecting their corner, but nobody can build Sint Maarten from a corner,” Doran said.
He argued that cooperation does not require political agreement. Democracy needs disagreement, but disagreement does not require destruction.
A coalition MP should be able to support a good opposition proposal, and an opposition MP should support beneficial government legislation, he said.
“That is maturity,” Doran declared. “While politicians argue over who gets the credit, the people are asking who is getting the work done.”
“Did Sint Maarten Win?”
Doran reminded parliamentarians and ministers that political positions are temporary.
Every minister and MP will eventually leave office, governments will change, and political parties will rise and fall. Sint Maarten and its people, however, will remain.
He urged elected officials to stop measuring success solely by whether their political side won.
“Did Sint Maarten win? Did the child get another opportunity? Did the senior get some relief? Did the permit move? Did the road improve? Did a marketplace vendor have a better chance of earning a living? Did Government create new revenue? Did Parliament protect the people’s money?” Doran asked.
“That should be the standard.”
Doran encouraged the population to judge politicians by their results rather than their speeches.
“Do not only be impressed by what we say. Watch what we do. Watch what we deliver. Watch what changes,” he said.
“Speeches can sound good. Words can move people. But leadership has to improve the livelihood of our people.”
Doran closed with a call for Sint Maarten to be developed not only as a destination for wealthy visitors but as a country capable of making its own residents prosperous.
His message for the new parliamentary year was direct: fewer announcements, less division, more execution, greater accountability—and above all, completion.
