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Ministry Of Public Health Cps Adds Hand-Held Foggers To Mosquito Fighting Arsenal

GREAT BAY, Sint Maarten (DCOMM) – In order to secure the continuous mitigation of the Aedes Aegypti mosquito population in the aim to minimize the number of dengue and chikungunya and possibly in the future, the zika virus, the Collective Prevention Services (CPS), a department in the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labour (Ministry VSA), has added four hand-held foggers to eliminate adult mosquito's.

The hand-held foggers are to ensure an effective response, but the population still has a major responsibility to eliminate mosquito breeding grounds in and around their homes and businesses to prevent the spread of mosquito-borne diseases.

A work visit in the past by the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) at the request of Sint Maarten's Ministry of Public Health, resulted in a number of recommendations being made to improve the vector management and surveillance in order to make financial investments in obtaining additional resources.

The recommendations included setting up mosquito traps at the harbour and within the community; acquisition of hand-held fogging machines; and the hiring of additional staff for field work.

The hand-held foggers will be used when reports are received of large mosquito populations are a particular address Read more

‘Sensitive’ answers on harbour security contract now submitted

PHILIPSBURG--Written answers to “sensitive” questions posed by Parliament concerning the hefty rise in fees paid by St. Maarten Harbour Group of Companies (SHGC) to Checkmate security company were submitted to Parliament on Tuesday, May 26, some days past the deadline of Thursday, May 21.

MPs will review the answers during the coming days and any form of follow-up is yet to be determined, pending the review. Although the answers had been submitted, Members of Parliament had not yet received them in hand by Wednesday, and six MPs being busy with meetings in the Netherlands at the moment probably will cause some more delay.

Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication (TEATT) and shareholder representative for the harbour Claret Connor said during a meeting of the Central Committee of Parliament on the matter on Thursday, May 7, that due to the sensitivity of information he would provide specific answers to Parliament in writing within two weeks.

The long-awaited meeting on May 7, which already had been a postponement, ultimately proved fruitless and left MPs and Chairman Lloyd Richardson annoyed at its ineffectiveness Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication (Ministry TEATT) Honorable Claret Connor earlier this week attended an oath-taking ceremony of civil servants from the Ministry TEATT that took place in the A. C. Wathey Legislative Hall.
The oath-taking complies with the regulation that all civil servants must take the oath in order to receive their National Decree and be appointed as a civil servant of the national government administration body.
Oath-taking is also an integral part of the integrity system of the Government of Sint Maarten Read more

Minister Connor Attends Another Oath-Taking Ceremony Of Civil Servants Describing Oath-Taking An Integral Part Of The Country's Integrity System

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten – Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication (Ministry TEATT) Honorable Claret Connor earlier this week attended an oath-taking ceremony of civil servants from the Ministry TEATT that took place in the A. C. Wathey Legislative Hall.

The oath-taking complies with the regulation that all civil servants must take the oath in order to receive their National Decree and be appointed as a civil servant of the national government administration body.

Oath-taking is also an integral part of the integrity system of the Government of Sint Maarten.

The civil servants were read their oath in both English and Dutch, and thereafter they made their pledge and Minister Connor pinned them with the national Coat of Arms of the country Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:---  Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunications (Ministry TEATT) Hon. Claret Connor attended an anti-bullying session at the Oranje School on behalf of Minister of Education Hon. Rita Bourne-Gumbs.

The theme for the session was: "Bullying is mean and should not be seen," drafted by Michelle Vicioso.

During the session an original song was performed by three students, namely Chenieu Quailey, Marva Granger, Smijdin Penthiere.

The song was: "Bullying is Wrong Read more

Minister Connor Attends Oranje School Anti-Bullying Session

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten – Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunications (Ministry TEATT) Hon. Claret Connor attended an anti-bullying session at the Oranje School on behalf of Minister of Education Hon. Rita Bourne-Gumbs.

The theme for the session was: "Bullying is mean and should not be seen," drafted by Michelle Vicioso.

During the session an original song was performed by three students, namely Chenieu Quailey, Marva Granger, Smijdin Penthiere.

The song was: "Bullying is Wrong Read more

Economic framework ‘good’ although not yet convincing

PHILIPSBURG--Stakeholders are still digesting the content of the newly-presented draft National Economic Framework. While the initiative is lauded to various extents, a common sentiment amongst private-sector stakeholders approached by The Daily Herald is that the outlook on follow-through is not entirely convincing, given that past initiatives have been very similar and have not necessarily delivered results.

Some participants were left feeling that once again they were going through the motions, not hearing anything new, and as though past initiatives such as the Tourism Master Plan simply had been left on the shelf.

The framework was presented to private- and public-sector officials by the Ministry of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication (TEATT) at a National Economic Summit on Friday and has been a year in the making by the Department of Economic Affairs, Transportation and Telecommunication EVT.

Stakeholders were presented a 53-page document and their input will be considered by the ministry, which highlighted the need to achieve a "shared comprehensive vision." Private-sector stakeholders told this newspaper that cooperation indeed was essential to moving forward.

Oyster Bay Resort General Manager Ricardo Perez said it was a good initiative, but it would be more useful if the previous initiatives were to be "dusted off" and put to action, or that they should have been updated on what progress had been made on those recommendations.

Princess Heights Hotel General Manager Emil Lee shared the sentiments, although he said the goals were admirable Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:---  Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunications (Ministry TEATT) Hon. Claret Connor received a very important guest at his Cabinet to discuss some national issues. Giomari Hodge was accompanied by his mother Yosaira Ramos.

Giomari wanted to meet with Minister Connor and to ask some questions regarding his portfolios along with some personal questions such as, what are the areas of responsibility under the minister Read more

Minister Connor Meets With Six-Year Old Giomari Hodge Of The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Primary School Who Wanted To Discuss National Issues

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten – Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunications (Ministry TEATT) Hon. Claret Connor received a very important guest at his Cabinet to discuss some national issues. Giomari Hodge who is a student of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Primary School, was accompanied by his mother Yosaira Ramos.

Giomari wanted to meet with Minister Connor and to ask some questions regarding his portfolios along with some personal questions such as, what are the areas of responsibility under the minister Read more

Stakeholders give input in draft economic framework document

PHILIPSBURG--The drafting and updating of new economic legislation to promote economic growth in St. Maarten and the increasing of efforts by Government to ensure fiscal and business compliance are among the many proposed measures included in the draft National Economic Framework document.

The 53-page document was presented to private and public sector officials at the National Economic Summit held at Sonesta Great Bay Beach Hotel on Friday. The document was discussed and stakeholders present gave their input.

According to the working-document, a country's legal system and its approach to economic growth are most important factors that determine a country's economic success or failure.

"A legal system that fosters economic innovation and growth while simultaneously protecting the rights of the citizens is essential to any form of economic growth Read more

Sarah to lobby opposition for audit chamber investigation

PHILIPSBURG--Democratic Party (DP) leader Member of Parliament (MP) Sarah Wescot-Williams said she will be lobbying her fellow opposition members to bring about an investigation by the General Audit Chamber into the security contract between St Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:--- Taking the first step towards articulating Sint Maarten's national economic vision, the Ministry of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Traffic and Telecommunication (TEATT) will be hosting a National Economic Summit to stimulate public engagement on Friday May 22nd at Sonesta Great Bay Beach Resort, Casino and Spa.
Led by Minister of TEATT Hon. Claret Connor, the Summit is geared towards engaging the private sector for fruitful discussion Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:--– Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunications (Ministry TEATT) Hon. Claret Connor, recently presented the I-CAN Foster Home a pumpkin that he received from the school garden at the Seventh Day Adventist School that he visited last week.

"I would like to thank the Seventh Day Adventist School for the donation of the pumpkin grown in their school garden Read more

Tourism organisations host taxi driver workshop

COLE BAY--The St. Maarten Tourist Bureau and Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) jointly launched a week-long training programme called “The successful taxi driver workshop” on Monday at the Carl & Sons conference facilities in Cole Bay.

Some 22 taxi drivers were present for the start of the workshop, and will have to attend every eight-hour-daily course up to Friday in order to successfully complete the workshop.

The workshop provided is targeted to the workers because of their close and frequent contact with tourists, and their position to form a first impression Read more

>PHILIPSBURG – Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunications (Ministry TEATT) Hon. Claret Connor, endorses the upcoming Rotaract District 7020 Conference 2015 which will be taking place here under the banner, "Helping Hands, Touching Hearts, Changing Lives."

Rotaract is a service club for young men and women ages 18 to 30 who are dedicated to community and international service Read more

Minister Connor To Be A Presenter At Rotaract District 7020 Conference 2015

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten – Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunications (Ministry TEATT) Hon. Claret Connor, endorses the upcoming Rotaract District 7020 Conference 2015 which will be taking place here under the banner, "Helping Hands, Touching Hearts, Changing Lives."

Rotaract is a service club for young men and women ages 18 to 30 who are dedicated to community and international service Read more

Minister Connor Presents School Garden Pumpkin To I-Can Foster Home

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten – Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunications (Ministry TEATT) Hon. Claret Connor, recently presented the I-CAN Foster Home a pumpkin that he received from the school garden at the Seventh Day Adventist School that he visited last week.

"I would like to thank the Seventh Day Adventist School for the donation of the pumpkin grown in their school garden.

I am happy to have been able to present to I-CAN Foundation the pumpkin for their supper Read more

Minister of Telecommunications Connor Congratulates all working in Telecom and ICT sectors in WTISD Message

>PHILIPSBURG:----  Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunications (Ministry TEATT) Hon. Claret Connor on Sunday, 17th of May congratulated via a press statement all telecommunication sector workers on World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD), which is being internationally observed today.

The theme for WTISD is "Telecommunications and ICTs: Drivers of innovation." 17th of May has been identified as a day to help raise awareness of the possibilities that the use of the internet and other information and communication technologies (ICT) can bring to societies and economies, as well as of ways to bridge the digital divide.

"I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all telecommunication workers as well as all those working in ICT in this WTISD message Read more

Minister TEATT visits Seventh Day Adventist School Garden – Promoting Lifelong Healthy Eating Habits

>PHILIPSBURG:----   Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunications (Ministry TEATT) Hon. Claret Connor earlier in the week visited the school garden of the Seventh Day Adventist School in Cole Bay. Minister Connor, was very impressed with what the elementary school children along with their teachers have been able to achieve, and pointed out that school gardens help promote lifelong healthy eating habits.

The school garden is part of the community school and teaching kids how to grow vegetables and fruits is part of the curriculum.

In general school gardens are cultivation areas or so-called 'school laboratories.' The aforementioned provides agricultural knowledge and skills, and makes the teaching of Science and Environmental Education more relevant and effective.

It also may benefit pupils, as the future food producers and provide some nutritional support to them.

These gardens mainly produce vegetables and fruits, and some may include small-scale animal husbandry and fishery, beekeeping, ornamental plants, and shading, and small scale staple food production.

"School gardens are gaining prominence in all parts of the world according to the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization Read more

Minister Of Telecommunications Connor Congratulates All Working In Telecom And Ict Sectors In Wtisd Message

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten – Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunications (Ministry TEATT) Hon. Claret Connor on Sunday, 17th of May congratulated via a press statement all telecommunication sector workers on World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD), which is being internationally observed today.

The theme for WTISD is "Telecommunications and ICTs: Drivers of innovation." 17th of May has been identified as a day to help raise awareness of the possibilities that the use of the internet and other information and communication technologies (ICT) can bring to societies and economies, as well as of ways to bridge the digital divide.

"I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all telecommunication workers as well as all those working in ICT in this WTISD message Read more

Minister Teatt Visits Seventh Day Adventist School Garden – Promoting Lifelong Healthy Eating Habits

PHILIPSBURG,St. Maarten – Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunications (Ministry TEATT) Hon. Claret Connor earlier in the week visited the school garden of the Seventh Day Adventist School in Cole Bay.

Minister Connor, was very impressed with what the elementary school children along with their teachers have been able to achieve, and pointed out that school gardens help promote lifelong healthy eating habits.

The school garden is part of the community school and teaching kids how to grow vegetables and fruits is part of the curriculum.

In general school gardens are cultivation areas or so-called 'school laboratories.' The aforementioned provides agricultural knowledge and skills, and makes the teaching of Science and Environmental Education more relevant and effective.

It also may benefit pupils, as the future food producers and provide some nutritional support to them.

These gardens mainly produce vegetables and fruits, and some may include small-scale animal husbandry and fishery, beekeeping, ornamental plants, and shading, and small scale staple food production.

"School gardens are gaining prominence in all parts of the world according to the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization Read more

Minister Teatt Connor Officially Opens Smart 2015

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten – Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunications (Ministry TEATT) Hon. Claret Connor officially opened the 14th Edition of St. Maarten/St. Martin Annual Regional Trade Show (SMART) 2015 on Wednesday at Sonesta Maho Beach Resort & Casino.

SMART is a three day event bringing together tourism stakeholders such as Tour Operators, Travel Agents, Travel Writers, and Event Planners to support, interact and promote tourism to the Eastern Caribbean.

International stakeholders come from as far as the United States of America, Canada, Europe, and Latin America.

During the Ministers address to SMART attendees, he pointed out the successes of 2014: a record two million plus cruise passengers; stay-over tourism visitors' increase of 10 per cent compared to 2013; overall hotel occupancy averaged upwards of 80 per cent; Port St Read more

SMART hosts 14th annual tradeshow

MAHO--The on-going fourteenth St. Martin/St. Maarten Annual Regional Tradeshow (SMART), dubbed the most important tradeshow of the Northeastern Caribbean, hosted its main day of activities at Sonesta Maho Beach Resort and Casino yesterday, May 14.

Although attendance was not as high as the 2014 event, which boasted one of the best turnouts in years, even participants who did not make any new connections pointed to the importance and usefulness of the annual event that targets local, regional and international tourism stakeholders.

However, noticeable was the lack of participants from South America that had been a major characteristic in 2014, and the non-presence of some regional islands Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:---  Hon. Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs led a delegation to Anguilla on Monday to attend the 1st Meeting of the First Session of the 11th Anguilla House of Assembly on Monday afternoon at the Atlin Noraldo Harrigan Parliamentary Building. Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunications Hon. Claret Connor and Minister of Education, Culture, Youth & Sports Hon Read more