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Bonaire, St. Eustatius, Saba Talk Amendments With Dutch Senate

The Senate Committee on Kingdom Relations Korel of the Dutch Parliament welcomed representatives of the Island Councils of Bonaire, St. Eustatius, and Saba.

KRALENDIJK--On March 25, a delegation from Bonaire, St. Eustatius, and Saba was received by members of the Senate Committee on Kingdom Relations Korel of the Dutch Senate. The delegation continued its efforts Read more

Gumbs, Teatt, Vsa Meet With Ser On Proposed Tourist Tax Law

PHILIPSBURG--Finance Minister Marinka Gumbs on Wednesday reiterated her commitment to implementing a tourist tax as part of broader tax reforms aimed at reducing the financial burden on the working population.

Speaking at the live Council of Ministers press briefing on Wednesday, Gumbs said a meeting was held with the Social Economic Council SER to address concerns and questions regarding the proposed tourist tax legislation Read more

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Vromi Minister Gumbs Faces Ombudsman Inquiry Over Controversial Cupecoy High-Rise

Taliesin NV, on behalf of NLGY Development, continued rock drilling over the weekend and went beyond the legally permitted boundaries, while throwing debris over a retaining wall onto the neighbour's property.

 PHILIPSBURG--Minister of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure VROMI Patrice Gumbs, representing Party for Progress (PFP), must answer to the Ombudsman of St Read more

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Romi Launches Erosion Project, Announces Temporary Road Closure

In red is the section that is closed off temporarily starting today, Monday, March 10.

 PHILIPSBURG--A section of Ebenezer Road at the intersection of W.R. Plantz Road and Johannes C. Paap Road will be closed temporarily. The closure, effective from today, Monday, March 10, to Wednesday, April 9, is necessary to facilitate the Hillside Stabilization Project, aimed at addressing severe erosion in the area.

The Ministry of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure VROMI announced the project in response to the ongoing deterioration of the Ebenezer Trench, which has led to infrastructure collapse and increased flood risks for residents.

Reports dating back to 2010 highlighted concerns about excavation practices, with further complaints in 2020 and 2021 regarding hillside erosion and falling soil Read more

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Commercial High-Rise Projects Approved Under Misclassified Residential Permits

 PHILIPSBURG--Several new commercial developments, ranging from four to eighteen storeys high, have begun construction in residential areas despite being approved under residential permits, which only allow a maximum of three storeys or 12 metres. Minister of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment, and Infrastructure (VROMI) Patrice Gumbs acknowledged on Wednesday that the permit classification published in the National Gazette as residential is incorrect.

Speaking at the Council of Ministers press briefing, Gumbs addressed questions posed by The Daily Herald on Wednesday, February 27, regarding a building permit issued for Jordan Road a small road historically used by public buses and residents vehicles until a developer began clearing the area in April 2024 Read more

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Students Clean Beach

A group from Broadreach, a United States-based student travel programme, recently helped clean up Zeelandia Beach in St. Eustatius, alongside a team from St. Eustatius National Parks Foundation STENAPA. The combined group removed a total of 1,861 items from a beach that is the islands hotspot for nesting sea turtles.