MP Ottley vows to keep pushing for GEBE relief, cost-of-living reform and youth opportunity

GREAT BAY--United People’s Party faction leader MP Omar Ottley used his closing contribution for the 2025-2026 Parliamentary Year to call for continued relief for GEBE customers, a proper assessment of St. Maarten’s cost of living, stronger preparation of young people for leadership and a wider national discussion about the country’s long-term direction.

Speaking on behalf of the UP faction, which includes MP Francisco Lacroes and himself, Ottley began by thanking the people of St. Maarten for giving them the opportunity to serve in Parliament.

He reflected on the faction’s legislative work during the parliamentary year, pointing to draft legislation, amendments and motions submitted on behalf of the public. He also highlighted Lacroes’ work on issues affecting St. Peters, including garbage collection, and his willingness to work across party lines.

Ottley said his own focus has included several issues affecting residents, with GEBE remaining one of his main priorities.

“I will continue to hammer on it until the people of St. Maarten can see and feel relief,” Ottley said.

He framed the country’s current challenges within St. Maarten’s long history of resilience, referring to the anniversaries of Hurricanes Luis and Irma and saying the country has repeatedly demonstrated its ability to recover.

“Still we stand and still we rise. We are a people of resilience,” he said.

Ottley stressed, however, that resilience should not become an excuse for government and Parliament to accept less than residents deserve.

“We are only here on the merit of the people,” he said.

‘What are we working towards?’

Ottley challenged Parliament to think beyond individual policies and determine the broader national objective it is working toward.

“We as a Parliament need to determine what is our goal, or we will be in a never-ending cycle,” he said.

He raised questions about independence, self-reliance and the need to educate the population about the country’s constitutional future.

Ottley said residents should not be afraid of discussions surrounding a referendum and should be encouraged to have greater confidence in themselves and in St. Maarten’s ability to determine its own future.

“No one is coming to save us. No one will save us but ourselves,” Ottley said.

He also questioned what is being done to prepare the next generation to eventually occupy the leadership positions held today.

“We are the generation, but who is up next? What are we doing to prepare the next generation to be in this seat when we are gone?” he asked.

Ottley called for greater efforts to encourage students who study abroad to return home and said salaries must be competitive enough to make returning to St. Maarten realistic.

Cost of living cannot be measured by indexation alone

The UP leader also returned to an issue he has previously advocated for, a comprehensive cost-of-living assessment.

Drawing on his experience as former Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor, Ottley argued that adjusting the minimum wage based primarily on consumer price indexation does not necessarily resolve the underlying affordability problem faced by workers.

He explained that if a worker is already struggling and inflation rises by two per cent, a corresponding two per cent increase in salary may still leave that worker in essentially the same financial position.

“The only way out is to determine a cost of living,” Ottley said.

He said a proper understanding of the actual cost of housing, food, utilities and other necessities is necessary to determine whether wages are truly sufficient.

Political differences should not erase common purpose

Ottley also called for greater respect among political parties, acknowledging that ideological differences are normal and necessary in a democracy.

“We will not always agree. That’s why we have different parties, different ideologies and different views,” he said.

However, Ottley said he refuses to believe that members of the various political parties represented in Parliament do not love St. Maarten simply because they disagree with one another.

He said putting oneself forward as a candidate demonstrates a willingness to move beyond criticism from the sidelines and accept responsibility for public service.

Ottley recalled being approached by someone who told him that despite the criticism politicians often receive, he continued to support them because they “come from we.”

He said that message reflected a broader point about representation and national identity.

“No matter how much stones may be thrown at us, how much they may go against us, we have a bigger purpose,” Ottley said. “Our purpose is the people of St. Maarten, and we will stand and fight for the people of St. Maarten.”

Ottley concluded by thanking the UP faction staff for their work throughout the parliamentary year, crediting them with helping to bring motions, amendments, draft laws and other initiatives before Parliament.

He said parliamentary factions require adequate support if MPs are expected to improve productivity and properly carry out their responsibilities.

“Without you there would be no us that represents the people at this caliber in Parliament,” Ottley said in thanking the faction staff.

As the parliamentary year closed, Ottley’s message centered on self-reliance, national confidence and ensuring that Parliament’s work produces tangible improvements for residents, particularly through GEBE relief, cost-of-living reform and greater opportunities for the next generation.

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