Oranjestad – Regeringscommissaris Marnix van Rij heeft zich vandaag in een geschreven en gesproken verklaring gewend tot de inwoners van Sint Eustatius om zijn plotselinge vertrek te verklaren. Zoals gisteren bericht heeft het CDA een beroep op hem gedaan om als interim-voorzitter orde op zaken te stellen in de partij die gehavend uit de verkiezingsstrijd is gekomen.
Van Rij zegt dat samen met de publieke en private sector alsmede de gemeenschap veel is bereikt op weg naar het herstel van de lokale democratie. Hij noemt de installatie van een democratisch gekozen eilandsraad een hoogtepunt waarmee een stevige basis voor de verdere ontwikkeling van Sint Eustatius.
“Ik zal me dit en vorig jaar herinneren als een professioneel uitdagend jaar, vanwege COVID-19, maar ook als een warm en verrijkend jaar dankzij het team en alle Statianen die het beste voor hebben met het eiland.”
Verklaring regeringscommissaris Marnix van Rij
Dear Statian residents, first of all I wish all of you a Happy Easter. Easter is the time to celebrate the ressurection of Jesus Christ.
Personally, I have to inform you that I have taken a difficult decision. I have been asked by my political party (CDA) in the Netherlands to help them out in a severe crisis. I have been a member of my party since I was 23 years old. The political situation in the European part of the Netherlands is very unstable at this moment. I therefore feel that it is my duty to contribute in this very difficult situation for the Kingdom in my new role.
My appointment as the Interim Chairman of CDA was announced Saturday afternoon. My Deputy Government Commmissioner, Alida Francis and acting Island Secretary, Malvern Dijkshorn-Lopes, were informed earlier this week of this eventuality. State Secretary, Raymond Knops, responsible for Kingdom Relations has accepted my resignation. I will officially vacate my position as Government Commissioner of St. Eustatius on the 18th of April.
I take this opportunity to thank all Statian residents, for giving me the honor of steering us through the unexpected pandemic these past 13 months. The island is since October 21st, COVID-free due to a carefully mapped out strategy developed by our COVID-19 crisis team in close consultation and collaboration with the different stakeholders locally, regionally and in the Netherlands.
In the meantime together (public sector, private sector and community) we have achieved a great deal in other areas: Phase -1 of the restoration of democracy culminating in the installation of a democratically elected Island Council and the realization of a lot of projects that will lay a more solid foundation for the further development of St. Eustatius Just look around.
I realize that I was too short in my role as Government Commissioner to complete phases 2 and 3 of the Restoration Act Services St. Eustatius 2020, but I assure you the foundation is already laid. Deputy Government Commissioner, Alida Francis, is the stable factor of continuity. I will remember this last year as a challenging year professionally, due to COVID-19, but also as a warm and enriching year thanks to the team and all Statians who have the best at heart for the island.
Dear Statians, I can give you one advice: please continue to work together and with the government. This is in the best interest of building a stronger Statia for the benefit of all the people.
I hope you will have a joyous and Easter celebration. Remain vigilant and may God Bless you all.
Lees hier: Marnix van Rij weg als regeringscommissaris van Sint Eustatius