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Lack Of Funds A Handicap For The Ministry Of Teatt

TEATT Minister Ludmila de Weever addressing MPs.

PHILIPSBURG--The lack of funds is a serious handicap for the Ministry of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication (TEATT).

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PHILIPSBURG:--- The Government of St. Maarten has learned via the media that the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations (BZK) of the Netherlands will be paying the much-needed NAf 39 million of liquidity support to St. Maarten as soon as possible. Government has taken note of a letter sent on June 17, by caretaker State Secretary Knops to the Chairlady of the Second Chamber of the Dutch Parliament of his intentions to pay out the 5th tranche of liquidity support.

Though government has not received this decision via official channels, the letter stated that Sint Maarten had worked diligently to restore good governance and acted decisively enough to ensure the successful progress of the reconstruction project within recent weeks Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Minister of Public Health, Social Development, and Labor, Omar Ottley has recently signed off on draft legislation that will allow for measures to be taken by Social & Health Insurances SZV to improve the quality and minimize stock issues of prescribed medication, in addition to reducing the purchasing costs.

Once the draft legislation is officially approved by Parliament, the necessary projects can be implemented later this year by SZV, together with the Pharmacists Association Sint Maarten (PAS) and the Department of Public Health Read more

First Flights To And From New Passenger Terminal

St. Maartens Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport Rodolphe Samuel was the first passenger to step outside the new terminal at F.D. Roosevelt Airport in St. Eustatius on Saturday, June 19.

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No Sixth Tranche Liquidity Support

Curaaos new Minister Plenipotentiary Carlson Manuel attended the Kingdom Council of Ministers meeting for the first time on Friday. Afterwards, he spoke to the media. Passing behind him is St. Maartens Minister Plenipotentiary Rene Violenus. (Suzanne Koelega photo)

THE HAGUE--Because Curaao and St. Maarten for the most part are not complying with the conditions of the sixth tranche of liquidity support, the Kingdom Council of Ministers on Friday decided to hold off on the allocation of this funding (see related story) Read more

Mp Rolando Brison On Behalf Of The Up Faction Questions Minister Of Finance

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten – To the Minister of the Finance:

Income of the National Budget, we are seeing an increase.

In terms of the collection efforts to help strengthen the Receiver to collect, please provide an insight as to what efforts are being 2021 to achieve the goals listed within the income.Are there any plans to continue to strengthen and improve the efforts of the Receivers dept and other departments?

Contracting of Country Loans

Please explain what prevents you to go on the open market and try to attract reasonable competitive loans to help pay civil servants, pay vacation salaries etc. If you were able to contract on the local market, what would be some of the favorable conditions, interest rates, etc you as Minister Finance would look at, for example, loan repay terms for liquidity.

Please explain?

Are interest rates measured? And by who if judge is a loan favorable or not?  Please explain.

UTS Funds

Please provide an update.

There were still other strategic assets to be sold after the sale of UTS.

Is Country SXM expecting any additional funds as result of the sale of UTS?

Airport

Can the actual concession agreement between the government and the airport be shared with Parliament?Please list all fees/ taxes that are due to Country SXM, that the airport is actually collecting because of the concession.

Budget post van Deskundige

Please indicate what happened to this budget post, as it is no longer listed in the 2021 budget.Is there any initiative from the Ministry of Finance to create a pool of experts or fund to pay experts that would assist the various Ministries especially with legislative support?What is the funding for this?

Belastingdienst der Inspectie

ATS is actively reviewing and auditing.

Will the minister consider synchronizing the efforts of the Inspection service together with the SZV?What should be done on the Minister of Finance end to integrate ATS into the tax inspection/tax auditing system that we have in St Read more

Minister Of Vromi Quizzed By Chairman Of Parliament During Draft National Ordinance Establishing The Budget Of Sint Maarten

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten – Questions posed by MP Rolando Brison on behalf of the UP Faction to the Honorable Minister of VROMI, Egbert J. Doran.

Environmental Levy

Was he able to examine the way the Aruba legislation is put up in terms of how tourist and the tourism industry is directly contributing to the cleanliness, environmental protection of the country?And if the Minister is also in line with that and if he looks forward to implementing such levies or be it if it comes as an initiative as we have planned from the UP party in parliament or in conjunction with the general ordinance?

Windward Roads

Would it not be preferable for the Ministry of VROMI to have received via the crime fund this money in cash and then be able to contract whoever they want to be able to conduct the works at a value of $2 million dollars rather than them be able to mark up the project or do whichever project how they want?What control would the minister have in terms of price control, how do we know that Windward roads wont just charge fls10 a meter instead of fls2 a meter in order to actually make this $2 million project cost them $200,000?What safe guards are in place in that regard? And why is not handled that way?

Long Lease Land

Can information be provided as to how much long lease land has been given to marinas and or maritime purposes(marinas, boat yards, any such structures) ?The Harbor itself, is that long lease? Can we get an indication of how many total square meters of land has been given out for those maritime purposes and how many lease holders there are?

Wrecks in the lagoon

Were there challenges getting the owners of the wrecks in the Lagoon to respond to the ministry in regards to their responsibility to these wrecks? What are your thoughts on mandating a mandatory insurance on all vessels parked in St.Maarten waters?

Turning Point/Mental Health Foundation

What is the status of Turning Point to get land from Government in order to do their necessary expansion? In regards to the Mental Health Foundation, what is the status for their request for land to be able to expand their facilities?

Planet Hollywood and Kimpton

With regards to Plant Hollywood and the Kimpton who filed requests, can the Minister update us on the status of those requests? What is the relationship like with the Ministry of VROMI and the Government by extension with these developers are they motivated and interested in continuing these projects despite the delays that COVID 19 might have caused for them?

Hospital

Can the Minister clarify if there are any requests at the Ministry of VROMI that the hospital is waiting on in order to continue their work and what the progress is in that regard?

Provisional Permit

Is there any sort of provision that the Minister could create or consider where there is a provisional permit granted? Is that even legally possible, is that something that the Minister could consider?

Housing Foundation

Can the Minister update us on what is the status, what is the interactions like with this foundation? Is he satisfied with the functioning of the Housing Foundation? Can he tell us anything about the Housing Foundation and what his plans are to improve it?Would the Minister if not satisfied consider the establishment of a new entity  to manage this?

Condo Levy

Would the Minister welcome a condo levy?

WorldBank

What projects are related to VROMI that funding is already moving? IF we can get an indication of what those figures are?

Alegria

In terms of Alegria, we saw that the appeal was won by the Minister, is that from a legal perspective in terms the legal discussion with Alegria is that over or is there any other cases that are pending right now?Has the Minister investigated this further from an internal perspective as to what led to these mistakes happening?Have the legal fees incurred by the Government been recovered as per the Judgement?Has an internal investigation been conducted to declare who it was responsible for giving the developer the feeling that he was entitled? And also in terms of it being entitled to the price, how did the developer feel that the price that was promised within meetings, letters, or papers was absolutely his entitlement and how do we prevent that from happening in the future? What is being done to prevent that from happening again?

Motion #1: Parliament year 2018/2019

Has the Minister had any opportunity to fulfill the positions of this motion?Can he please give the Parliament an update as to the amounts that are stated in this motion that are NAF1,250,700 ? Has interest been accumulated, have more fees been accumulated?What is the debt now and when are we going to collect this money?If one removes themselves as a director and shareholder of a company,  the company does not adhere and that company then declares bankrupt, I then remove myself Read more

Chairman Of Parliament Poses Several Questions To Minister Of Justice, During Draft National Ordinance Establishing The Budget Of Sint Maarten

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten – Questions posed by MP Rolando Brison to the Minister of Justice Anna Richardson During the Central Committee meeting handling of the draft National Ordinance establishing the Budget 2021

Function Book

What are the financial implications, if everyone was to be place in their proper function with their increase in pay in the next 2 months, is this accounted for in this 2021 budget?If not, how will the Government afford to pay these increases?Or is this more anticipated for future budget 2022?

CFATF

When is the next meeting of the CFATF and report to the membership?What is the expectation that the Minister would have to be faced with?Are there any implementation costs for the remainder of 2021 that the Ministry of Justice expects to incur, within the MOTT and/or other aspects within Justice?

Challenges faced with the Prosecutor office

Please provide an update on the challenges the Minister faces with the fines from Prosecutor office in their role and lack of action with the collection to the tune of 1mil guilders in fines.

Referring to the National ordinance Bestuurlijkehandhaving Jan 25, 2018 was passed in Parliament. 

Is this law fully ratified and implemented?If yes, is this assisting with the collections?If not, what would be the plan for the ratification and full implementation and use of Bestuurlijkehandhaving?Would this law help the Minister in terms of collections and if not having to be done via the Criminal code as was done in the past?

Income of the issuance of Gun licenses

What is the status for issuance of gun licenses?What is the status of the new gun policy?Is there a projected increase as a result of the efforts to create a proper policy for the issuance of gun licenses?Will there be a fee increase and can we expect additional funds in Government koffers?

Police records

What is the status of the new reform of police records that were expected to come, and what are the projected revenues to be achieved from this?

MOT  (Meldpunt Ongebrijkelijke)

There is an ongoing concern with the legislation passed in Parliament Read more

Mps Question Irion On Range Of Issues

The Council of Ministers at the beginning of Thursdays budget debate. (John Halley photo)
PHILIPSBURG--Members of Parliament (MPs) on Thursday posed a number of questions to Finance Minister Ardwell Irion, who presented the draft 2021 budget in a meeting of the Central Committee of Parliament.

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PHILIPSBURG:--- The St. Maarten Tourism Bureau (STB) hosted a movie premiere recently in honor of Ms. Bianca Dijkhoffz's featured role in In the Heights.

This was done in recognition and appreciation of the countrys local talents as part of the orange tourism. Orange tourism is part of sustainable tourism, generating cultural, economic, and social development through responsible tourism management of cultural heritage, arts, and creative industries.

Ms. Dijkhoffz celebrated her achievement in the presence of her family, friends, and supporters Read more

Stb Hosts Movie Premiere In The Heights Featuring Dijkhoffz

SINT MAARTEN, PHILIPSBURG The St. Maarten Tourism Bureau (STB) hosted a movie premiere recently in honour of Ms. Bianca Dijkhoffz featured role in In the Heights.

This was done in recognition and appreciation of the countrys local talents as part of the orange tourism. Orange tourism is part of sustainable tourism, generating cultural, economic and social development through responsible tourism management of cultural heritage, arts, and creative industries.

Ms. Dijkhoffz celebrated her achievement in the presence of her family, friends and supporters.

The Hon Read more

Irion Presents Naf. 613 Million Budget With Naf. 241M Deficit

Finance Minister Ardwell Irion (centre) flanked by Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs (left) and Justice Minister Anna Richardson (right).

PHILIPSBURG--We recognise that the 2021 budget needs much improvement, Finance Minister Ardwell Irion said on Thursday as he presented the NAf Read more

Repairs Completed At Sr. Regina Primary School

Philipsburg, Sint Maarten — With the necessary operational repairs now complete, the students at Sr. Regina Primary School will finish off the 2020/2021 school year in refurbished buildings that are safer, watertight, and more hurricane resilient.

The works at Sr. Regina were part of the school repairs activities under Emergency Recovery Project I of the Sint Maarten Trust Fund, which is funded by the Government of the Netherlands, managed by the World Bank and implemented by the National Recovery Program Bureau (NRPB).

Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport (ECYS) Rodolphe Samuel and his supporting staff, representatives of the Ministry of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure (VROMI), NRPB Director Claret Connor, and representatives of Foundation Catholic Education St Read more

Some 13,000 Persons To Be Helped In Food Programme

PHILIPSBURG--Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor VSA Omar Ottley projects that 13,000 to 14,000 persons could benefit from the food assistance programme. He gave the estimate during Wednesdays live Council of Ministers press briefing.

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Ottley Warns Businesses Against Covid-19 Vaccine Intimidation

PHILIPSBURG--Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor VSA Omar Ottley reminds businesses that it is illegal for employers to force or intimidate their workers to get the COVID-19 vaccine.

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Dust Warning; Those Susceptible Remain Cautious.

PHILIPSBURG:---The Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor, Omar Ottley hereby informs the public of a lot of dust ahead. People with pulmonary or eye conditions should take the necessary precautions. In distinguishing the possible symptoms from COVID-19, the latter has more systemic effects/symptoms; headaches, fever, sore muscles Read more

Dust Warning; Those Susceptible Remain Cautious

PHILIPSBURG, Sint MaartenTheMinister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor, Omar Ottley hereby informs the public of a lot of dust ahead. People with pulmonary or eye conditions should take the necessary precautions.

In distinguishing the possible symptoms from COVID-19, the latter has more systemic effects/symptoms; headaches, fever, sore muscles Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Justice Anna Richardson announced on Wednesday that a Ministerial Decree will be issued today Wednesday, June 16th to curb illegal gathering, noise pollution, and loitering. The decree will take immediate effect and will be extended until public order is fully restored.
The Minister of Justice said that since the government of St Read more

Law Proposed To Raise Age Limit On High Councils Of State From 70 To 75

Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs in Parliament on Tuesday.

PHILIPSBURG--If a draft law proposed by Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs is passed by Parliament, high councils of state in St Read more

Repairs Completed At Sister Regina Primary

Stakeholders receiving a tour of a refurbished classroom. In foreground, from left: ILACO Project Director and Manager Ravindra Patandin, NRPB Director Claret Connor, Sr. Regina School Vice-Principal Joanne Arrundell, and ECYS Minister Rodolphe Samuel.

PHILIPSBURG--With the necessary operational repairs now complete, Sr Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Government of St. Maarten, through the Office of Disaster Management, hosted a conference at the Government Administration Building with VNG International, the Association of Netherlands Municipalities (Vereniging van Nederlandse Gemeenten), and communication and public relations personnel and officers from the Department of Communication, the Ministers cabinet, and various branches of the Emergency Support Function (ESF) members.

The name of the conference is: Crisis communications for Communications advisors, PR officers and DCOMM and the training was provided by the VNG organization, which represents since 1950 all Dutch municipalities, including, since 1995, the public bodies Bonaire, St Read more

Caribbean Cinemas In Cole Bay New Covid-19 Vaccination Pop-Up Location. Belair Community Center Temporarily Closed

PHILIPSBURG (DCOMM):--- The Vaccination Management Team (VMT) announced on Tuesday, June 15th, that Caribbean Cinemas in Cole Bay will be used as a new vaccination Pop-Up location starting Thursday, June 17th.
This location will be open for vaccination walk-ins from Monday to Friday from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM. The VMT would like to publicly express its gratitude to Caribbean Cinemas for their generous offer to make their facility available to the national vaccination campaign.
This new location has been opened because the Belair Community Center will not be available for COVID-19 vaccinations between Thursday, June 17th and Wednesday, June 30th Read more

Ottley Signs Bilateral Agreement For Food Assistance Programme

Minister Omar Ottley

PHILIPSBURG--Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor VSA Omar Ottley says he has received final approval from the Netherlands for the food assistance programme Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Minister of Public Health, Social Development, and Labor Omar Ottley extends his heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Sint Maartens 32nd COVID-19 victim, who has passed away. He wishes the family strength during this time.

As of June 14th, there were ten (10) persons who tested positive for COVID-19; however, thirteen (13) persons have recovered; bringing the total active cases to sixty-eight (68) Read more