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Project Announced To Extend Potable Water Production Plant

From left: EEASM Director General Sebastien Gallego, SAUR Antilles Director Nicolas Touzet, President Louis Mussington, EEASM President Raphal Sanchez, and SAUR St. Martin Director Mlissa Nicolas at the press conference. (Robert Luckock photo)

 

MARIGOT--Water Authority tablissement des Eaux et de lAssainissement de Saint-Martin (EEASM) held a press conference at its headquarters in Hope Estate on Friday to announce an extension to the present drinking water production plant in Galisbay that will be built and commissioned in 2027 to significantly improve capacity.

With a provisional budget of 21 million euros, the aim is to increase daily production from 8,000m3 to around 14,000m3, explained Collectivit president Louis Mussington in his preamble Read more

Grisha Concerned About Non-Payment Of Some Local Sub-Contractors At Pjia

PHILIPSBURG--Independent Member of Parliament (MP) Grisha Heyliger-Marten has expressed concerns about information she received concerning the reconstruction process at Princess Juliana International Airport (PJIA).

Heyliger-Marten said she has been informed that certain contractors conducting work at PJIA are awaiting payments totalling US $300,000.

Information reaching my office alleges that the reconstruction process of one of our national gateways is marred by gross non-performance, mismanagement, and negligence, Heyliger-Marten stated in a press release issued on Monday.

Heyliger-Marten said she has been informed that Ballast Nedam, being the main contractor, has assigned Sustainable Development Consulting BV (SDC BV) as the main contractor to remove the debris from the demolition process Read more

Chokehold Movie Delivers The Message That Domestic Violence Is Unacceptable

The Chokehold cast at the Friday press conference: from left; Simeon Henderson, Enyinne Nwigwe, Director Joel Ayuk (standing), Kenneth Okolie, Oremeyi Kareem, and Sherando Ferril. (Robert Luckock photo).

 MARIGOT--Timed to coincide with International Day to Eliminate Violence against Women, the premiere of locally-produced and -directed film Chokehold, written and directed by Joel Ayuk, took place at Caribbean Cinemas on Saturday night with the main actors in attendance.

Replicating a Hollywood premiere with red carpet, photo calls and a VIP reception, the international cast were dressed to the nines for the occasion.

Among prominent personalities from the community, Vice Presidents of the Collectivit Alain Richardson, Bernadette Davis and Dominique Louisy were present to support the film, as well as Territorial Councillor Martine Beldor.

Anticipating a large turnout, the 1-hour film produced by CANI TV Studios was shown in two theatres Read more

Two School Boards Receive Feminine Hygiene Products

From left: D. Marks, R. Richardson-Romey, E Baptiste-Boasman, Minister Ottley, Minister Samuel, E. Hanson-Flanders and E. Jacobs.

HOPE ESTATE--Two school boards were provided with feminine hygiene products for distribution within their respective schools on Friday, April 14.

Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor VSA Omar Ottley was accompanied by Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport (ECYS) Rodolphe Samuel, Coordinator of Teen Times Rochelayne Richardson-Romey, staff of the Community Development Family and Humanitarian Affairs (CDFHA) Elba Hanson-Flanders and Elencia Baptiste-Boasman for the handover of these products Read more

Land Awarded For Social Housing Is Already In Lease, Mp Peterson Says

Minister of VROMI Egbert Doran and Helen Salomons-Brown, director of St. Maarten Housing Development Foundation, award land allegedly already leased to the company High Tech Development NV since 2012.

PHILIPSBURG--Government recently awarded land in Hope Estate for social housing development while the specific lot allegedly was already issued in long lease since 2012 to another party. This was brought forward by Read more

Government Financially Supports Trapping, Destroying Of Monkeys

PHILIPSBURG--St. Maarten Nature Foundation, with the help of a local veterinarian, is getting rid of the more than 450 vervet monkeys on St. Maarten. The entrapment and euthanising of monkeys have the support of the Ministry of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication (TEATT), which provided essential funding.

  The elimination of the monkey population is part of St. Maarten Nature Foundations Invasive Species Project. Acting TEATT Minister Omar Ottley signed off on funding that was used to purchase materials and equipment and to facilitate training by an experienced monkey trapper from the island of St Read more

Bus Drivers Request Increase In Bus Fares Starting January

United Bus Drivers Association president Claude Omeus.

PHILIPSBURG--From January 2023, bus passengers will pay more for a bus ride if it is up to United Bus Drivers Association. President Claude Omeus said the increase is necessary due to the high cost of living on the island.

  I dont think it is unreasonable for us to finally get the increase in fares, as maintaining our buses is not cheap also, said Omeus, stressing that the cost of living continues to skyrocket while gas prices are increased almost bi-weekly.

  Bus drivers have taken note of the announcement by Acting Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication (TEATT) Omar Ottley about the increase in minimum wage Read more

Charlotte Brookson Academy Receives Culture Time Proceeds

From left: Culture Time founder and host Fabian Badejo, Charlotte Brookson Academys school manager Tatiana Arrindell and Culture Time co-host Rhoda Arrindell. (Stephen Kleinhuis photo)

 PHILIPSBURG--The organisers of last week Fridays Culture Time 35th Anniversary Show at Philipsburg Cultural Centre donated the proceeds of the event to Charlotte Brookson Academy of the Performing Arts (CBA).

  The cash presentation was made to school manager Tatiana Arrindell on Tuesday, said Fabian Badejo, host of the long-running PJD-2 radio programme Read more

Senior citizens from both sides of the island gathered in the Senior Citizens Recreational Center in Hope Estate to celebrate International Day of Older Persons on October 1.

HOPE ESTATE--Senior citizens from both sides of the island gathered in the Senior Citizens Recreational Center in Hope Estate to celebrate International Day of Older Persons on October 1. This large, combined gathering was the biggest since the pandemic waged and seniors were happy to be able to mingle and enjoy a meal together just like old times.

  The lunch was organized by St Read more

Shadani Fleming Wins Plate Design Contest, Plate To Be Used From 2023

The winning number plate design

PHILIPSBURG--Local graphic designer Shadani Flemings simple design of a number plate depicting an aircraft, sunrise, and palm trees has won hearts of the public and landed her the winning spot of the number plate design competition. 

  The winning plate design will be used as of 2023 and the following years. Flemings design received more than 1,000 of the popular votes and she was notified and awarded the prize of NAf. 1,000.

  Flemings winning artwork featured a clean design with a red, white, and blue gradient background Read more

Pfp Expels Co-Founder, Who Calls Move Drastic

Charlon Pompier

PHILIPSBURG--Party for Progress (PFP) has severed ties with its co-founder Charlon Pompier, who called the move an extreme and sudden form of drastic action.

  Pompier was informed of his expulsion from the party via a letter dated May 17 Read more

Decision Imminent On Trust Fund Extension

The Trust Fund Steering Committee during a visit to St. Maarten in December 2021. On the left, St. Maarten Steering Group member Marcel Gumbs, with next to him, Steering Committee member for the Netherlands Frans Weekers. Third from left is World Bank Country Director for the Caribbean and Chair of the Steering Committee Lilia Burunciuc. (Photo by National Recovery Program Bureau NRPB)

~ Opening local World Bank office projected for June ~

THE HAGUE--A decision is expected shortly on the request of the St Read more

Generation Hope Party Presents Programme For 2022 Elections

Generation Hope 2022 candidate Jules Charville speaking at the presentation of the partys programme.

MARIGOT--President of Generation Hope and candidate for the upcoming Territorial Council elections on March 20 and 27 Read more

Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs delivering her remarks during Sundays service.

PHILIPSBURG--The government of St. Maarten in collaboration with St. Maarten Christian Council, St. Maarten United Ministerial Foundation and the Seventh-Day Adventist Church hosted the seventeenth annual National Day of Prayer at the Government Administration Building on Sunday.

  This years theme was Almighty God, Let Your Culture of Divine Unity Rule.

  The service opened with praise and worship led by the Victory Temple praise team, followed by the opening prayer delivered by Joan Berkel and a rendition of the St Read more

Pm Jacobs Sees 2022 As Year Of Hope, Continued Progress

Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs

PHILIPSBURG--A year of hope and continued progress was the description used by Prime Minister (PM) Silveria Jacobs to describe 2022.

Read more

Pm: There Is Willingness To Discuss Way Forward

PHILIPSBURG--Prime Minister (PM) Silveria Jacobs said on Wednesday that there is willingness by caretaker Dutch State Secretary of Home Affairs and Kingdom Relations Raymond Knops to discuss the way forward on the current impasse. 

  St. Maarten had requested a postponement of the Kingdom Council of Ministers RMR decision that was scheduled to be taken on Friday last week to approve the deviation from the budgetary norms of Article 15 of the Kingdom Act Financial Supervision RFT.

  The Netherlands made the granting of the deviation conditional on St.  Maartens political approval of the Note of Amendment to the Consensus Kingdom Law on the Caribbean Body for Reform and Development COHO, in an effort to force consensus, Jacobs had said last week.

  Knops also included excerpts of said amendment as decision points for the RMR, thereby circumventing the Parliaments of the Kingdom from debating this aspect of the law, Jacobs had said in a statement last week.

  Furthermore, decision points were included that would give the government of the Netherlands carte blanche to impose further unrelated conditions for future liquidity support.

  While speaking to the media during the live Council of Ministers press briefing on Wednesday this week, Jacobs reported on recent communication from Knops.

  I must say that in recent, lets call it, communication received from the state secretary, there is a willingness to discuss the way forward and we hope that through these discussions, negotiations, that we receive as a country what we deserve, Jacobs told reporters.

  She said there has been quite some uproar about what has been going on in the relations with the Kingdom government.

  Yes, we have been having better relations Read more

From left: Sergeant Major J.G. De Bruin of the Royal Netherlands Marine Corps and Asha Stevens-Mohabier outside the Hillside gym.

Cu7bCAY HILL--Ahead of the upcoming hurricane season, the Royal Netherlands Marine Corps and the Royal Dutch Army will set up headquarters at the Asha Stevens Hillside Christian School campus in Cay Hill for the annual hurricane exercise HUREX.

  Between May 25 and June 6, the marines and military, as per new operational orders, will simulate different scenarios before, during and after a category three storm or higher Read more

ASA founder and director Merlyn Schaminee-Miguel.

~ Founder Merlyn speaks about experience through the years ~

SUCKER GARDEN--With music, dance, and an abundance of cake and popcorn, After School Activities (ASA)/No Kidding with Our Kids Foundation celebrated its 25th anniversary in a festive atmosphere at its home at the Lions Den in Sucker Garden on Thursday.

  One of the pioneers in after-school care in St. Maarten, ASA got its start in the turbulent days post-Hurricane Luis Read more

No Deal Yet At Kingdom Council Of Ministers

St. Maarten Minister Plenipotentiary Rene Violenus on his way to the Kingdom Council of Ministers meeting last Friday. (Otti Thomas/Amigoe photo)

THE HAGUE--The continued negotiations between the Netherlands and Aruba and Curaao about the third liquidity support tranche and future COVID-19 assistance meant that no decision was taken during Fridays Kingdom Council of Ministers.

Ministers Plenipotentiary Anthony Begina of Curaao, Eddy Paris of Aruba (acting) and Rene Violenus of St Read more

Twelve colourful murals now brighten up Philipsburg. In photo: Youngest artist Annabelle Verheij (16) with her mural SXM Strong. (John van Kerkhof photo)

PHILIPSBURG--Be The Change Foundation proudly presented a sneak peek into its @colormesxm mural project to participating artists, partners and sponsors. In recent weeks, the twelve participating artists and their volunteers put in lots of hard work to help bring colour and art to Philipsburg, and their results were unofficially unveiled on Friday afternoon.

Present for the official kick-off of the mural project were Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport (ECYS) Rodolphe Samuel and Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication (TEATT) Ludmilla de Weever.

Also in attendance were Director of Tourism May-Ling Chun, Head of the Culture Department Clara Reyes and Secretary-General for United Nations Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (UNESCO) in St Read more

Ncf Seizes Opportunity For Staycation In St. Eustatius

Students of New Challenges Foundation (NCF) and director Francine Foe (third right) with Deputy Government Commissioner Alida Francis (second row, left) and co-managers of The Old Gin House hotel and restaurant Marlies ten Hoopen (front row, left) and Sybolt ten Hoopen (front row, second right), with the other NCF students and teachers.

NCF students and teachers at the gala dinner during their staycation at The Old Gin House.

EUSTATIUS--New Challenges Foundation (NCF) students had to postpone several of their fundraising events as well as an educational trip due to the coronavirus pandemic Read more

Jacobs Would Like Formation Process Done By End Of Week

Formateur Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs.

PHILIPSBURG--Formateur Silveria Jacobs said on Wednesday that she would like the formation process for the new Council of Ministers finalised by the end of this week.

She said on Wednesday that she has not yet finalised the formation report and the process has not been completed.

Governor Eugene Holiday had requested that Jacobs present him the final report of the formation process by Sunday, February 23 Read more

Gracita Arrindell

PHILIPSBURG--Peoples Progressive Alliance (PPA) leader Gracita Arrindell on Sunday expressed hope that the incoming Members of Parliament (MPs) and new Council of Ministers continue working on pending core issues including much-needed electoral reform that doesnt tolerate any more delays.

She said in a press release on Sunday that most importantly, we need political stability, and continuity in government.

PPA was not successful in its bid to obtain a seat in the new Parliament during last Thursdays snap parliamentary elections.

Arrindell congratulated the parties that obtained seats in Parliament Read more

Ppa Hopes New Parliament, Ministers Address Core Issues

Gracita Arrindell

PHILIPSBURG--Peoples Progressive Alliance (PPA) leader Gracita Arrindell on Sunday expressed hope that the incoming Members of Parliament (MPs) and new Council of Ministers continue working on pending core issues including much-needed electoral reform that doesnt tolerate any more delays.

She said in a press release on Sunday that most importantly, we need political stability, and continuity in government.

PPA was not successful in its bid to obtain a seat in the new Parliament during last Thursdays snap parliamentary elections.

Arrindell congratulated the parties that obtained seats in Parliament Read more