Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina
PHILIPSBURG--Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina says St. Maarten must give young people good reasons to remain on the island or return after studying abroad, while government must improve the everyday services residents depend on.
He made the remarks in his St. Maarten Day message delivered on Wednesday, November 11, in which he reflected on the island’s people, identity, generations and shared responsibilities.
“When a young person says, ‘St. Maarten is my home. Can I build my future there?’ I want this country to be able to give them good reasons to say yes,” Mercelina said.
He acknowledged that young people are making important decisions about whether to remain in St. Maarten, leave to study or return after graduating. He said their questions about employment, housing and having a say in decisions affecting them matter.
The prime minister also turned attention to government’s responsibility to deliver reliable services, pointing to situations residents encounter in their daily lives.
“When the lights go out, you need to know when they’re coming back on. When you take time off work to go to a government office, you expect to be helped. These are ordinary things. Getting them right makes a real difference in people’s lives,” he said.
Mercelina said he takes that responsibility personally, as part of the job entrusted to him.
In his message, he also encouraged residents to make time for the island’s elders and listen to their experiences and memories.
He said many families have roots in St. Maarten going back generations, while others are newcomers who have built their lives on the island. He said there is a place in the celebration for everyone who calls St. Maarten home.
“To our elders, I say thank you. You remember when there was far less to work with on this island. You can tell us how people managed, what they argued about and how they came together when it mattered. I hope we make more time to sit with you and listen. There is a great deal about St. Maarten that we can only learn from you,” he said.
The prime minister also extended St. Martin Day greetings to residents on the French side, noting that many families have relatives on both sides of the island.
He said people have shared meals, celebrated together and supported one another during difficult times, adding that leaders have a responsibility to make it easier for residents to work together.
Mercelina also expressed pride in the way residents support one another, highlighting volunteers, coaches and neighbours who quietly contribute to the community. He encouraged families celebrating St. Maarten Day to share stories about the island with children and ask them what they want their future St. Maarten to look like. “Give them time to answer. I think we’d all do well to hear what they have to say,” he said.
He closed by wishing residents and their families a happy St. Maarten Day on behalf of the Government of St. Maarten.
