A New Years Message Island Governor Alida Francis
2024 has brought both challenges and rewards, offering valuable lessons for growth. Entering the New Year 2025, continued collaboration with all stakeholders, including government, support agencies, non-profits, businesses, and the people of St. Eustatius, remains essential.
This past year, together, the government, civil servants, and the community achieved key milestones through teamwork.
• A key achievement in 2024 is the new, dynamic, and collaborative approach to governance, demonstrated by the growing maturity within the Island Council. This dialogue and collaboration are building bridges that will drive future progress, creating a strong St. Eustatius now and for the future.
• The strengthened relationship between the Executive and Island Council has positively impacted local democracy, fostering consensus decision-making based on goodwill. This transparency helps the community to stay informed about government and their own role in the democratic process.
• The 36-hour work week for civil servants and its benefits have been successfully implemented. Despite mixed feedback, civil servants have overcome obstacles, gained valuable insights and continued to perform at their best.
• Overall, the Statian community has upheld exemplary behavior in public order and safety. This New Year, there will be a stronger focus on communication and awareness, helping everyone to better understand and fulfill their role.
As we step into the New Year, let us tell the Statia story together—a story of what our island has to offer and of what we want to achieve; shared with conviction and pride. We will undoubtedly encounter challenges in the period ahead. However, let us remain focused, for this is Statia’s moment. I believe the best is yet to come, as we embrace the beauty, power, and strength found in unity. Together is not just a word; it is our path forward. By pooling resources, combining talents, and uniting efforts, no challenge is too great, no obstacle too high, and no dream too distant.
We share the same goal: continued, sustainable growth and progress for Statia. Together we must continue to work on health care, education, sports and youth affairs, cultural heritage, tourism and economic development, sustainable agriculture and animal husbandry, awareness of environmental services, infrastructural projects and erosion control, the quality of banking services, airlift, social housing, water and energy, digitalization …. Step by step, hand in hand, let us, as Statian residents and friends of Statia, recommit to building a more beautiful, prosperous and secure future for our island.
In 2025, I wish you and your loved ones health, peace, happiness and love!