PHILIPSBURG: --- The relationship between parliamentary oversight and independent auditing bodies is a cornerstone of good governance. Recently, a significant exchange of correspondence between Member of Parliament (MP) Ardwell M.R. Irion and the General Audit Chamber of Sint Maarten has brought this dynamic into sharp focus.
At the center of the discussion is the public support allocated for the Soul Beach event. Following the adoption of Motion No. 15 by Parliament, which requested an independent review of the event's financial and administrative processes, a debate has emerged regarding the scope, feasibility, and legal authority of such an audit.
MP Irion’s letter, dated October 27, 2025, serves as a comprehensive rebuttal to the Audit Chamber’s initial hesitation to conduct the review. The correspondence highlights critical questions about how public funds are tracked when they interact with private entities.
Clarifying the Scope of the Audit
A primary point of contention appears to be the nature of the entity receiving the funds. In previous communication, the Audit Chamber expressed concerns that the funds in question might be mixed with private financing, potentially complicating the audit process.
In his response, MP Irion clarified that Parliament’s request was never intended to scrutinize private foundations or private funding sources. Instead, the motion explicitly targets the use of public funds and the government processes that facilitated them.
Irion argues that private funding does not eliminate the need for accountability for the public portion. He described the suggestion that mixed funds cannot be audited as "speculative," emphasizing that the focus remains strictly on whether public resources were allocated and spent legally.
The Principle of Traceability
The MP’s letter raises a fundamental standard for public finance: traceability. Irion posits that if a foundation receives both public and private contributions, the public portion must remain distinct and auditable. He drew parallels to previous reviews, such as those involving the Port of Sint Maarten, where the Chamber successfully verified government revenues despite complex concession agreements.
The core argument is that government subsidies—whether for security, accommodations, or direct financial disbursements—must be traceable. The mixing of funds within a private entity should not create a "black box" that eludes public scrutiny.
Asserting Parliamentary Authority
Beyond the specific logistics of the Soul Beach audit, the correspondence touches on the broader legal framework of Sint Maarten’s governance. MP Irion cited Article 31 of the National Ordinance, which empowers Parliament to request specific investigations.
He reminded the Chamber that its oversight role extends to the legitimacy and effectiveness of all public revenue and expenditures. According to Irion, the legal framework affirms Parliament's right to inquire into public spending, even when those funds pass through intermediaries or non-governmental channels. He framed Motion No. 15 not just as a request, but as a democratic mandate representing the will of the people.
Moving from Refusal to Cooperation
Rather than accepting a conclusion that the audit is not feasible, MP Irion invited the Chamber to take a more constructive approach. He suggested that if specific documentation is missing or if records are not separated clearly, the Chamber should identify those gaps. Parliament, he assured, is prepared to pursue the necessary documents through the relevant ministries.
The correspondence ultimately seeks to establish a clear precedent: that no part of public administration is beyond scrutiny. By pressing for this audit, MP Irion is advocating for a system where the flow of tax money is transparent, regardless of where it ends up. The outcome of this exchange will likely influence how public-private partnerships and subsidies are monitored in Sint Maarten for years to come.
GoGo Plastics Foundation, based in the Netherlands, is a professional recycled plastic sheet producer that processes 20.000 kilos of waste plastic into sheets (or panels) annually. They have global experience working in India and the Philippines, including in remote locations with unreliable electricity and no adequate recycling infrastructure. Their concept is based on an open-source global network of plastic recyclers called Precious Plastic. The same basis of Perpetual Plastics (PP) under the local EPIC Foundation, which launched in mid-2024. PP, with great thanks to Stichting DOEN, recently acquired and received a sheetpress that can process large amounts of waste plastic into plastic sheets (panels), which in turn can be manufactured into many various items, such as you would with a 1x1m sheet of plywood, with this version being more durable and sustainable, needing little to no maintenance. To ensure efficiency and professionalize local production, PP invited GoGo Plastics for on-site hands-on training and has completed 2 weeks of intensive guidance. Not only with the production but also with maintenance, marketing, design, as well as the educational component that comes along with the community involvement and engagement. Education and awareness are a very large part of all EPIC programs and projects. During GoGo’s visit, a stakeholder session was hosted, appropriately named ‘Let’s Talk Trash’, persons within Government, education, the social sector, the waste/recycling sector, and those in nature and environmental conservation and protection came together to learn more about PP’s new plastic sheet endeavour and how we can all collectively make a positive impact with our local plastic waste problem. In closing, everyone joined to create a piece of art that reflects our collective effort to make a greener, cleaner Sint Maarten. The Perpetual Plastics team would like to thank all those who joined their ‘Trash Talk’, but also those who made the GoGo visit and recycled plastic sheet making possible, from various private donors, to Seaview Beach Hotel, and Stichting DOEN.
PHILIPSBURG:--- The Police Force of Sint Maarten (KPSM) informs the public that the KPSM Action Team carried out several targeted enforcement and control operations during the past week across the island. These actions were based on up-to-date information, enabling effective, well-planned deployment.
Simpson Bay:--- Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM Airport) has reported a solid increase in passenger traffic for 2025, underscoring the airport’s continued recovery and its important role as a leading regional aviation hub.
