March 26, 2006: Speech by the Governor at the Occasion of the Administration of the Oath to the Members of Parliament.

March 26, 2006: Speech by the Governor at the Occasion of the Administration of the Oath to the Members of Parliament.

SPEECH BY THE GOVERNOR OF THE NETHERLANDS ANTILLES, mr. F.M. D.L.S. GOEDGEDRAG ON THE OCCASION OF THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE OATH TO THE NEW MEMMERS OF PARLIAMENT ON SUNDAY, MARCH 26, 2006.

Today marks the beginning of the new term of office of the Parliament of the Netherlands Antilles. It is a particular period, because it might be the last term of office of Parliament. After all, the Netherlands Antilles are on the eve of drastic political changes. These changes, and the conditions under which they can take place, do not automatically devolve on the Islands of the Netherlands Antilles. It `will require great efforts and drastic measures to create a good and stable basis to that end. In this connection, there lies an extraordinary responsibility with you as the people’s representatives to lay the foundation together with the Government as co-legislator. It is, among other things, a matter of tackling problems in education, combating the enormous youth unemployment, reorganizing public funds, combating poverty and combating criminality. In other words, it is a matter of offering perspective and opportunities to our people.

You have been elected by the populations of the various Island Territories as representatives of the people of the Netherlands Antilles. In order to be able to commence officially with your work as Members of Parliament, a while ago you took the oath or made a solemn confirmation before me as prescribed in the Constitution. This oath consists of four elements:

1) The first part of the oath of office, in which you swear or declare that you did not promise or give anyone anything in order to acquire the membership of Parliament;
2) The second part of the oath of office, in which you swear or declare that you will not accept promises or gifts from anyone in the future in order to do or refrain from doing anything as a Member of Parliament;
3) The oath of allegiance to the Queen and the Constitution and the pledge to help maintain the Constitution of the Netherlands Antilles;
4) The pledge to serve the welfare of the whole population of the Netherlands Antilles to the best of your ability. This interest exceeds that of your own political party or the population of your own Island Territory.

The oath is of course not insignificant. It has an essential value and requires great responsibility of the People’s Representative. Governing a country is a complicated matter and as a Member of Parliament you will sometimes also be confronted with very complicated issues; certainly now in these times of fast changes. The world around us and our citizens are demanding a further modernization of the public administration. Good governance puts great pressure on efficiency, professionalization, transparency and accountability of the administration. This lays-certainly in these times of reform and responding to globalization- a heavy claim on the profession of Member of Parliament. You will sometimes undoubtedly be in tight spots in the period lying ahead of us. It will not always be easy, but it is your task and duty to do that which is in the general interest of the population of the Netherlands Antilles. I wish you all much strength and wisdom in the performance of the important duties that you have been called upon to discharge.