PHILIPSBURG:---  The Government of Sint Maarten and the World Bank have approved the Sustaining Program Effectiveness and Advancing Resilience (SPEAR) project to strengthen public sector systems, deepen institutional capacity, and safeguard jobs and the long-term sustainability of Trust Fund investments that have supported the country’s recovery and resilience since Hurricane Irma.

Stressing the importance of sustainability, the  Marinka J. Gumbs, Minister of Finance, Government of Sint Maarten, said, “The SPEAR Project represents a major step forward in how Sint Maarten builds and sustains resilience. By strengthening our governance systems and operational capacity, we are making sustainability a core part of our recovery. SPEAR provides essential fiduciary support for ongoing projects and drives better services across government—particularly through improved budgeting and modernized procurement.”

SPEAR will strengthen decision-making, resource flows, and accountability enforcement in Sint Maarten.  As part of its portfolio, the project will support the establishment of a Disaster Reserve Fund (DRF) to manage risks and, once sufficiently financed, ensure that, when the next shock occurs, a resilient Sint Maarten can finance the initial response from its own resources.

In addition, it will modernize budget preparation systems and embed monitoring and evaluation tools across government operations. This will help to ensure that gains from Trust Fund projects are institutionalized and strengthened over time, supporting sustained results throughout the Trust Fund’s extended implementation period and beyond.

“The SPEAR Project shifts Sint Maarten’s recovery from project delivery to institutional strengthening,” said Lilia Burunciuc, World Bank Director for the Caribbean. “Sint Maarten will be better equipped to manage risks, allocate resources efficiently, and sustain the impacts of transformational investments financed under the Trust Fund.”

By strengthening government systems, SPEAR helps create and sustain long-term jobs by supporting local firms, building skills, and enabling smoother project delivery in Sint Maarten.

PHILIPSBURG:--- Residents and visitors in Sint Maarten are raising serious concerns about the local parking system. The situation escalated recently when the parking lot was temporarily closed following reports of funds being stolen, underscoring the urgent need for improved oversight. Despite previous government promises of an automated upgrade, persistent issues with cash handling and a lack of accountability continue to frustrate the public, with many questioning exactly when the long-promised automated system will be installed as theft and mismanagement persist.

Cash Payments and Missing Receipts

A recurring problem lies at the center of the controversy: people frequently report paying for parking in cash without receiving a ticket or any proof of payment. These complaints are not new. Over the years, there have also been troubling reports of blank parking cards being sold for $500 per month to allow parking behind the old government building. Allegations have surfaced that senior civil servants were involved in the sale of these cards, with the collected funds never officially accounted for or turned over to the government coffers. Such recurring issues leave citizens questioning how management handles these payments, whether proper financial controls exist, and why meaningful oversight has yet to materialize.

Furthermore, the same individuals continue to staff these parking roles, even as the same types of grievances pile up. The public is asking why leadership has not taken corrective action or implemented visible improvements to address these ongoing issues.

Questions Surround Automated System Tender

The Minister of Finance previously informed the public that a public tender took place for a new automated parking system. However, officials have provided no clear updates on the timeline for its rollout.

This silence leaves several pressing questions unanswered:

• When exactly did the public tender take place?

• What is the current status of the procurement process?

• When was the formal advice submitted to the Council of Ministers?

• When can the public actually expect a functioning automated system?

Calls for Accountability and Reform

With no visible improvements, confidence in the parking infrastructure continues to decline. Both locals and tourists bear the brunt of these unresolved issues. The community is now demanding clear answers regarding the delayed automated system and immediate action to ensure transparency and accountability in the current daily operations.

PHILIPSBURG:---The Electoral Council would like to remind all registered political parties, including those who did not participate in the January 9th, 2024, parliamentary elections
election or the August 19th, 2024, snap election, that the annual report for 2025 must be submitted to the Electoral Council before April 1st, 2026, as stipulated in Article
27 of the National Ordinance on Registration and Finances of Political Parties. 

The annual report should include:
a. The composition of the board during 2025.
b. The amount of contributing members at the beginning and at the end of 2025.
c. The amount of contribution received from members during 2025.
d. An overview of activities carried out in 2025.
The 2025 annual report must be accompanied by a financial report as laid down in
article 28 of the aforementioned National Ordinance, which states that the financial
report should at least include:
a. The financial position at the start and the end of 2025.
b. A specified statement of income and expenditure, as well as an auditor’s
report by a chartered accountant (Dutch: registered accountant/RA) regarding
the accuracy of the financial report.
c. Donations of ANG 5,000 or more from a source other than a natural person.
d. The total amount of donations, other than contributions from party members.
The 2025 annual report can be submitted to the Electoral Council at the office address of the Electoral Council mentioned below during office hours between 9:00
AM – 1:00 PM and between 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM. The Electoral Council is hereby announcing that parties may also submit their annual report via email. Submissions
can be sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
The Electoral Council would like to remind all political parties that have not submitted their outstanding annual reports prior to 2025 that this must also be
done. Failure to comply with the National Ordinance on Registration and Finances of Political Parties may result in a penalty being imposed.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Ministry of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure (VROMI) and the Kadaster Sint Maarten are proud to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that marks an exciting new chapter in the island's geospatial data management. This agreement reflects a shared commitment to collaboration and innovation, with the goal of delivering better public services, smarter spatial planning, stronger infrastructure development, and more efficient processes for the Domain, Policy, and Permits departments.

Both institutions have made meaningful and commendable investments in Geographic Information System (GIS) technology, and this MOU builds on that momentum. By aligning their efforts and combining their strengths, VROMI and Kadaster are positioning Sint Maarten to benefit from a modern, integrated data infrastructure that supports informed, timely decision-making across government. “Today is more than just an agreement to cooperate. It represents our commitment to overcoming years of administrative inefficiency, bridging knowledge and data gaps, and working not in the interest of individual mandates, but of collective strength towards improving service to the people. In 2026, government should not and cannot work from a place of ignorant isolation to deliver critical services,” stated VROMI Minister Patrice Gumbs Jr.

The MOU outlines two exciting initiatives that will advance this vision. Kadaster will be mandated as the registry authority for the registration and management of all underground infrastructure on the island, consistent with the internationally proven KLIC model, a framework that ensures the safe and coordinated management of excavation and utility works. Additionally, a National GIS Platform will be developed and implemented to enable structured data sharing and interoperability among government entities, public utilities, and other key stakeholders, ensuring that all parties have access to accurate, up-to-date geospatial information when they need it most.

Kadaster Managing Director Benjamin Ortega reflected on a vision that first took root nearly two decades ago. “I recall returning to the island in 2007, working for the Ministry of VROMI, and it was there that this vision was born; a vision of working together on a continuous, structural basis to improve not only the technical fabric of life in St. Maarten, but to create genuine added value for the people we serve. To sit here today as Director of Kadaster, so many years later, and see that vision become reality, is truly an honour.”

Among the most exciting outcomes of this collaboration will be the positive impact on the Domain, Policy, and Permits departments within VROMI. With access to a unified and up-to-date geospatial dataset, permitting reviews will be streamlined, processing times reduced, and domain assessments made more accurate. Gumbs reiterated his commitment to improving services and trust within VROMI during his mandate. Gumbs gave an example of a citizen requesting an excerpt from the civil registry who encountered delays when the addresses listed for the Civil Registry, the Permits Department, and the Kadaster differed, turning a simple administrative task into a months-long exercise to obtain a registration form. With this move towards administrative collaboration, citizens and businesses can look forward to faster, better-informed decisions that reflect the government's commitment to responsive and efficient service delivery.

Also present at the signing ceremony was VROMI Secretary General, Kenson Plaisimond. He said one of the most tangible deliverables emerging from this collaboration is Kadaster’s initiative to introduce a Cables and Lines Information Center (CLIC) database for St Maarten, modelled on the Kadaster Netherlands' KLIC, a centralised registry for underground cable and pipeline infrastructure. 

Minister Gumbs pointed out that the MOU includes provisions for a Joint Steering Committee, with three immediate objectives: the delivery of a base infrastructure map, the establishment of an underground infrastructure registry, and the development of a robust GIS data platform. He added that the full potential of geospatial technology, already in use for some years, has yet to be fully realized as a tool for integration and effective governance across all stakeholders, both within and linked to the government. The vision is to use the tool for several applications, including insurance claims, infrastructure monitoring, disaster management, and efficient management of domain lands and permitting.

To bring this vision to life, the MOU establishes a joint Steering Committee comprising representatives from both VROMI and Kadaster to guide implementation and develop the operational and financial agreements needed to move forward. Cost-sharing arrangements and funding mechanisms will be put in place to ensure a fair and sustainable partnership.

Director Ortega affirmed Kadaster’s ongoing dedication to advancing St. Maarten’s geospatial knowledge through GIS and sustained institutional cooperation. “We are here with you, and for the country of St. Maarten,” he said. “This is just the beginning.”

Minister Gumbs closed the ceremony by saying, "This MOU is a proud milestone for Sint Maarten. By working together, VROMI and Kadaster are laying the groundwork for smarter governance, better services, and a stronger future for our island and its people."