in this Section
the Governor's Speeches
Oath Taking Ceremony of Minister Boasman and Minister Sams
Chairman of Parliament, Prime-Minister, Ministers, Invited Guests, good afternoon and welcome.
And a special welcome to Mr. Rafael Boasman, Mr. Ernest Sams and Mr. Claret Connor for this appointment and swearing in ceremony.
On December 19, 2014, a new team of five of seven ministers were installed with responsibility for the governing of our island. Today we are here to complete the team. Mr. Connor you have decided to continue in a different capacity with the team and Mr. Boasman and Mr. Sams you are about to join that team. Each of you have been screened in keeping with the regulatory provisions and your appointment decrees have been signed. As a result there rests one legal requirement before you can perform your duties as Minister of Public Health, Labour and Social Development, as Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication and as Minister of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure, respectively. That is the legal obligation to take the oath of office of Minister of Sint Maarten.
Accepting the function of minister through the oath which you are about to take in a few moments, is
• First, a solemn expression of your commitment to perform your function with integrity;
• Second, it is your pledge of allegiance to the King and the Kingdom Charter;
• Third, it is your individual declaration to always uphold the Constitution of Sint Maarten; and
• Finally, it is your pledge to always dedicate yourself to foster the wellbeing of the People of Sint Maarten.
In that regard, you have been entrusted and as such there rests on you individually as ministers and jointly with your colleagues in the Council of Ministers a great responsibility. Through your oath, you will be accepting the obligation to serve all the people of Sint Maarten.
And in doing so you have accepted to serve in challenging times. At a time when there is much to do and scarce means to do it with. Your decisions on the use of the scarce means will have lasting influences on the lives of the people of Sint Maarten. As a result I recommend that you use the oath as a guide in the performance of your function aimed at addressing the variety of challenges which our people face. Thus, as you deliberate on taking action on the matters that will come before you during your tenure, I wish you wisdom and strength, individually and jointly, in the conduct of your responsibilities as you seek to meet your constitutional responsibility to the people of Sint Maarten.
In closing, I therefore invite you, Mr. Boasman, Mr. Sams and Mr. Connor, to take the oath of office of Minister of Sint Maarten.