PHILIPSBURG (DCOMM):---  With the start of the 2026 Atlantic Hurricane Season now less than one week away, the Office of Disaster Management (ODM), which falls under the Fire Department within the Ministry of General Affairs, is urging residents and businesses located in coastal and flood-prone areas to review and finalize their emergency preparedness plans ahead of the six-month hurricane season.

Early preparation is essential to stay safe during the season. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in its most recent forecast says up to 14-named storms could form, and of those six (6) could become hurricanes, including up to three major hurricanes (category 3, 4, or 5) with winds of 111 miles per hour or higher.

ODM is particularly appealing to residents living along the country’s coastline and in low-lying flood-prone districts to ensure they are fully prepared for the potential impacts of tropical storms and hurricanes, including storm surge flooding, strong winds, and coastal erosion.

Those who have not yet made preparations are strongly encouraged to do so immediately and not wait until a storm threatens the country.

Coastal residents and businesses located near beaches and vulnerable shorelines are advised to have plans in place for possible storm surge inundation associated with hurricanes passing near or along the southern coast of Sint Maarten. Coastal communities remain vulnerable to various hazards, including flooding from storm surge, high winds, and erosion of beaches and shorelines.

Areas identified as particularly vulnerable include Beacon Hill, the vicinity of the Princess Juliana International Airport Road connection to Beacon Hill, Simpson Bay Beach, Pelican, Philipsburg, the Great Bay Beach/Boardwalk area, Point Blanche, Oyster Pond/Dawn Beach, and Guana Bay.

ODM advises homeowners in these areas to secure personal belongings and move valuable items to upper levels of their homes or businesses in the event of a storm threat. Residents who do not plan to remain in their homes during a hurricane are urged to make alternative arrangements well in advance regarding where they and their families will shelter safely.

The Office of Disaster Management strongly emphasizes that residents should never wait until the last moment to evacuate. Evacuation decisions should be made at least 24 hours before the arrival of hurricane-force conditions, as emergency personnel and first responders are unable to conduct rescue operations during dangerous weather conditions. Rising storm surge waters can also quickly flood coastal roads, limiting the ability to leave affected areas safely.

ODM reminds the public that personal preparedness is the most important link in reducing disaster risk and protecting lives and property. Residents are encouraged to prepare emergency supply kits that include essential items such as bottled water, canned food, a battery-powered radio, spare batteries, a flashlight, first-aid supplies, medications, bedding, house keys, cash, identification documents, insurance papers, mobile phones, and extra clothing.

Additionally, before evacuating, residents should remember to turn off utilities such as water and gas where possible and ensure all important documents are secured in waterproof containers.

ODM continues to encourage the community to remain vigilant, stay informed, and take all necessary steps now to protect families, homes, and businesses before the hurricane season officially begins on June 1.

For general information about preparing prior to a storm/hurricane strike, visit the Government website: www.sintmaartengov.org/hurricane where you will be able to download your “Hurricane Season Readiness Guide’ and “Hurricane Tracking Chart.”

Listen to the Government Radio station – SXMGOV 107.9FM - for official information and news before, during and after a hurricane. You can also follow weather related news and information as well as national addresses by the Prime Minister, chairperson of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) by going to @SXMGOV Facebook Page.

For official weather-related information, check out the website of the Meteorological Department of St. Maarten (MDS): www.meteosxm.com

VILNIUS:---  A delegation from the ICT Department of Sint Maarten is visiting Vilnius, Lithuania, from 25–29 May 2026 for a focused study visit on digital government transformation, organized by the NRD consultancy team.

The visit forms part of Sint Maarten’s ongoing efforts to strengthen national digital government capabilities, improve the quality and accessibility of public services, and draw on international experience to support the country’s digital transformation journey.

The delegation includes Femi Badejo, Head of the ICT Department; Chard Charles, Senior Policy Officer /Project Manager; and Michel Williams, Senior Policy Officer / Project Manager.

The study visit is designed to provide Sint Maarten’s ICT team with direct exposure to Lithuania’s digital government ecosystem, which is recognized for its strong institutional coordination, mature digital public infrastructure, and practical experience in delivering digital services at scale.

Throughout the week-long program, the delegation will meet with key Lithuanian institutions involved in digital government development, including the State Digital Solutions Agency, Innovation Agency / GovTech Lab Lithuania, the State Data Agency, the Communications Regulatory Authority, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the State Enterprise Center of Registers. The program also includes working sessions with NRD Companies, a long-standing partner of the Sint Maarten ICT Department, which has been supporting the country’s Digital Government Transformation Project since 2022. The St. Maarten delegation has already met with the NRD Companies and the VSSA – State Digital Solutions Agency of Lithuania (Valstybės skaitmeninių sprendimų agentūra), the national public-sector institution responsible for developing and managing key state digital services, shared IT solutions, and digital government infrastructure.

The discussions will cover priority areas directly relevant to Sint Maarten’s digital transformation agenda, including digital government operating models, institutional roles and responsibilities, shared digital services, e-service delivery, digital identity, e-signature and trust services, data governance, open data, interoperability, core registries, cybersecurity, and the practical introduction of artificial intelligence in public services.

A key value of the study visit is the opportunity to move beyond theory and learn from institutions that have implemented digital government solutions in practice. Through exchanges with Lithuanian counterparts, the delegation will explore how digital transformation is coordinated across government, how shared infrastructure is governed and funded, and what operational and technical arrangements are needed to deliver secure, reliable, and sustainable digital services.

The program will also provide an opportunity to reflect on how relevant lessons from Lithuania’s experience can be adapted to Sint Maarten’s specific institutional and national context. Attention will be given to approaches that can support stronger coordination across government, more user-centered service delivery, improved data management, greater cybersecurity resilience, and more efficient use of shared digital infrastructure.

Ieva Žilionienė, Chief Consulting Officer at NRD: “NRD Companies has been privileged to support Sint Maarten through technical advisory services for several years, and this study visit is an excellent opportunity to continue that cooperation through practical exchange. Lithuania’s digital transformation has been shaped by more than three decades of reforms in digital public services, infrastructure, data governance, trust services, cybersecurity, and institutional capacity. 

The program gives the delegation direct exposure to Lithuanian institutions that are shaping and implementing this transformation in practice. No country can simply copy and paste another country’s model, but open discussion about what worked, what did not, and why is extremely valuable. We are happy to share Lithuania’s practical reform experience with Sint Maarten as you shape their own digital government journey".

PHILIPSBURG:--- The International Ombudsman Institute (IOI) held its annual Board of Directors meeting in Willemstad, Curaçao, from 10 to 14 May 2026, marking the first time the IOI Board of Directors meeting has been held in Curaçao, making it a landmark occasion for the island. The Ombudsman of Sint Maarten, Mrs. Gwendolien Mossel, was among the attendees at this historic gathering.

The selection of Willemstad as the host for the gathering is a proud milestone for Curaçao and a reflection of the growing prominence and active engagement of the Caribbean Ombudsman community within the broader international Ombudsman movement. The Ombudsman of Curaçao, Mr. Keursly Concincion, played a central role in making this event possible. Mr. Concincion currently serves as the Regional President for the Caribbean and Latin American Region of the IOI. The Ombudsman of Aruba, Mrs. Jurima Bryson, was also in attendance at the board meeting. She is among the newly appointed directors for the Caribbean and Latin American Region of the IOI. Her presence further underscores the strong and growing representation of the Caribbean within the international Ombudsman community.

Among the notable outcomes of the board meeting was also the approval of the Guide to the Ethical Principles of Ombudspersons and their Staff, developed by the IOI. This guide provides an overview of the core ethical principles that underpin the work of ombudsman institutions worldwide, serving as an authoritative reference for ombudspersons and their staff in the conduct of their duties. The guidelines are designed to complement existing constitutional codes, reinforcing the integrity, independence, and impartiality that are the hallmarks of effective ombudsman practice.

In a further significant development, the IOI Board of Directors approved a project proposal submitted by the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) for a training program on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), to be held in November 2026. The training program aims to strengthen participants’ understanding of the SDGs within the context of ombudsman mandates, while equipping them with practical tools to support the implementation and monitoring of the goals.

The program will place particular emphasis on SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being), SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions), goals that are closely aligned with the core functions and responsibilities of Ombudsman offices.
This initiative underscores the IOI’s commitment to empowering ombudsman institutions as active contributors to the global sustainable development agenda.

The Ombudsman of Sint Maarten, who also serves as a member of the IOI Board of Directors for the Caribbean and Latin American Region, remains committed to working collaboratively with regional and international counterparts to advance the principles of accountability, transparency, good governance, and the protection of the rights of citizens across the Caribbean and beyond.

`Kotai, Roseburg, and Wescot-Williams Back Government in 7–6 Vote While Sounding Alarm on Communication, Zoning, and Public Frustration.`

PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure (VROMI) Patrice Gumbs Jr survived Tuesday’s motion of no confidence by a razor-thin 7–6 margin after coalition members closed ranks to keep the government intact.

But while the coalition ultimately delivered the votes needed to save the Minister, several members used the debate to issue stern warnings to the Minister over what they described as failures in communication, inconsistent governance, and growing national frustration over development policies and environmental management.

The parliamentary showdown, triggered by controversy surrounding development activities in Simpson Bay and public protests over the removal of a Seagrape tree, quickly evolved into a broader debate about zoning, beach access, environmental policy, transparency, and the direction in which the country is heading.

Although coalition MPs voted against the motion and effectively secured Gumbs’ political survival, their speeches made clear that support for the Minister did not come without conditions.

MP Viren Kotai emerged as one of the strongest voices demanding accountability from within the governing ranks. Throughout the debate, Kotai repeatedly pressed the Minister for concrete answers regarding contractors operating government-owned landfill equipment without formal agreements.

Kotai demanded documentation concerning the first payments made to contractors, questioned whether other companies were also operating without contracts, and requested a full overview of existing VROMI agreements. His interventions signaled deep concern about governance practices and financial controls within the ministry.

While ultimately helping defeat the motion, Kotai’s remarks reflected clear unease over how government business has been handled and communicated to Parliament and the public.

MP Sjamira Roseburg also delivered a cautionary message during the proceedings, questioning the handling of delayed contractor payments and administrative procedures within government. Roseburg pressed the Minister on how consultants and contractors could spend prolonged periods working while still facing difficulties processing invoices and payments.

Her intervention underscored growing frustration over the lack of clarity surrounding government operations and whether proper systems are truly in place to manage public funds and public projects effectively.

Perhaps most notable was the tone set by Chairlady of Parliament Sarah Wescot-Williams, who repeatedly intervened during the emotionally charged debate to restore order and remind Members of Parliament of the seriousness of the issues before them.

At one stage, Wescot-Williams emphasized the importance of allowing both ministers and MPs to fully explain themselves “so that people can understand what is being said and what is being asked.”

Her repeated interventions were widely interpreted as a warning that political confrontation and poor communication are contributing to growing distrust among the population.

Throughout the debate, Gumbs defended his ministry’s approach to sustainable development, insisting that the country can no longer continue allowing development without proper structure and long-term planning.

The Minister confirmed that his ministry is working on zoning legislation designed to address beach access, environmental protection, and development planning — all issues that have become increasingly sensitive among the public.

Those comments tied directly into broader public concerns over beach policy, overdevelopment, flooding, environmental degradation, and enforcement of measures such as the plastic bag ban and sustainability initiatives championed by government.

Gumbs admitted that the anger displayed in Simpson Bay reflected much deeper frustrations within the country.

“The protest isn’t about a tree,” the Minister declared during the debate. “It’s the tip of an iceberg to a deeper frustration.”

The Minister also acknowledged longstanding administrative weaknesses, revealing that several contractors had historically operated without formal contracts and that government is now attempting to regularize those arrangements through proper agreements and stricter procurement controls.

Despite the coalition’s decision to stand behind Gumbs, Tuesday’s debate exposed visible cracks within government ranks and demonstrated that coalition support is far from unconditional.

The narrow vote may have protected the Minister politically for now, but the message from coalition MPs was unmistakable: government must improve communication, strengthen accountability, and move urgently on zoning, environmental enforcement, and public transparency — or risk losing the confidence not only of Parliament, but of the people themselves.