PHILIPSBURG:--- The Sint Maarten Police Force (KPSM) would like to announce that three of its officers have successfully completed the training to become certified Police Duty Officers (OvD-P). This comprehensive course, which took place in Aruba from July 22, 2024, to August 9, 2024, was designed to enhance participants' expertise in crisis management and their ability to oversee incidents requiring a coordinated and effective police response.

KPSM takes this opportunity to congratulate the following officers on the successful completion of this demanding training:
A.Gomes
W.Amarello
V.Manboth

The role of a Police Duty Officer (OvD-P) is paramount to public safety. The OvD-P is tasked with leading police operations during critical incidents, such as major traffic accidents, violent crimes, or large-scale emergencies. In such situations, decisive and prompt action is essential to manage the event and prevent further escalation.

Emphasis on Collaboration with Other Duty Officers
An integral aspect of the training highlights the necessity of close collaboration with other Duty Officers, including the Fire Service Duty Officer (OvD-B) and the Medical Services Duty Officer.
(OvD-G). Coordinated efforts across all agencies are vital in complex crises involving multiple emergency services, such as large fires, natural disasters, or severe accidents. Such cooperation ensures a seamless and efficient response, enabling prompt and effective emergency actions.

The management of KPSM strongly believes that the additional skills and knowledge acquired through this training will significantly benefit the community of Sint Maarten. This enhanced capability prepares the police force to address complex incidents more effectively, thereby ensuring the continued safety and security of the public.

The KPSM also expresses its appreciation to all participants, including the colleague who, regrettably, could not complete the course. The commitment and dedication demonstrated by all officers throughout the training are highly commendable and deeply valued.

KPSM Press Release.

PHILIPSBURG:--- During the reception on the occasion of the new Parliamentary Year, a youth is awarded the President of Parliament Award for exemplary behavior, leadership skills as well as contribution to the community. On Tuesday, September 10, 2024, the Hon. President of Parliament, Mrs. Sarah A. Wescot-Williams, announced Mr. Isaiah Peterson as the recipient of the President of Parliament Award 2024.

Mr. Peterson received this recognition for demonstrating outstanding leadership skills and a deep commitment to community and service. Mr. Peterson has also excelled academically, in his soft skills and showed entrepreneurial interest.

In the past years, he has led projects to bring joy and support to foster children on the island, assisted in the Sint Maarten Lions Club eyesight initiatives in the community, and he has led the Sint Maarten Leo Club’s “Tis the Season” Christmas project during his tenure as the Leo’s President.

Mr. Peterson also showed his entrepreneurial spirit and innovative approach to tackling Sint Maarten’s landfill situation by participating in the National Youth Pitch 2022 with his team and their business concept, Upcycle. The concept proposed a company dedicated to collecting solid waste, such as plastic, cleaning and separating it, and transforming it into reusable materials for manufacturing processes.

His leadership also extended to being the captain of the Sint Maarten National Debate Team at the 2024 Leeward Island Debate Competition in St. Kitts and Nevis and encouraging his peers to get involved in their school debate clubs thereby promoting soft skills development and elevating debating on the island. Mr. Peterson is also actively involved in swimming.

Mr. Isaiah Peterson accompanied by his parents were present during the reception of the Opening of the Parliamentary Year 2024-2025 to receive the award. He proudly accepted his award with an acceptance speech during which he expressed his gratitude for being awarded this year’s President of Parliament Award.
The nomination application was submitted by Ms. Lateen Clark, President of the Sint Maarten Lions Club, who was also present at the reception to witness the ceremony.

The Parliament of Sint Maarten encourages all youth in Sint Maarten to continue to show exemplary leadership skills and contribute to our community.

PHILIPSBURG:--- “The video of an incident involving a taxi driver (Taxi 53) and some visitors, which went viral on several media platforms on Monday, September 2, 2024 was immediately brought to my attention,” said Grisha Heyliger-Marten, Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication (TEATT).
“I instructed the relevant departments of my Ministry to investigate the matter thoroughly. This is why I have not made any public statement about it until now,” said Minister Heyliger-Marten this week, breaking her silence on the matter.
According to the Minister, the taxi driver in question was heard and it was decided that she should be suspended for a period of 30 days, during which time she is to register for training courses that will improve her service and communication skills.
“I have also apologized in writing to the visitors concerned for this unfortunate experience, and in addition, invited them to return to the island at their convenience at the expense of the Ministry,” Heyliger-Marten revealed.
The Minister explained that there is currently no law or policy in place that allows the Ministry of TEATT to revoke taxi and/or bus licenses. “However, we plan to implement such measures in the near future,” said the Minister.
“Incidents like these are unacceptable, and if we want to hold people accountable for their actions, we must establish clear and strict criteria. Our tourism industry is too vital to allow one person to jeopardize it for others.”
Meanwhile, as part of a more systemic response to the incident, the Ministry has already set in motion a process to establish standardized training for the public transportation sector, especially for taxi drivers, who are generally referred to as “Ambassadors.” They will be trained in areas such as customer service and etiquette, history, culture, and basic geography of the island, as well as communication skills, first aid, and CPR.
The goal, Heyliger-Marten said, “is to make them deliver better service to their customers, which will make these feel safe and comfortable.”
Moreover, the Minister disclosed that the Inspectorate of Economic and Transport Affairs (IETA), is exploring a digital system to assist with compliance and to enhance the customer experience. This system, she said, is already being used in Aruba to modernize the sector.
Heyliger-Marten said more information will be provided in the coming weeks once discussions are finalized with the public transportation operators and other stakeholders in the hospitality sector.

Willemstad:--- Curacao follows the recommendation given by the Board of Financial Supervision of Curacao and Sint Maarten (Cft) and reserves extra means in the draft budget 2025 to compensate for the loss-making exploitation of the Curacao Medical Center (CMC). For some time now, the Cft has been urging the country to correctly incorporate the financial risks of the precarious financial situation of the hospital into the country’s budget, and it feels the step that the Curacao government is now taking is a positive one.

In the draft budget, Curacao further elaborates the solution strategy for the financial issues of the CMC that was presented earlier. Although at present not all components of the solution have been explained, this is an important step towards sustainable exploitation of the hospital.

At the same time, the necessity to reform the healthcare landscape remains great. Curacao spends over 13 percent of its gross domestic product on healthcare, twice as much as the average healthcare expenses in the Caribbean. These high expenses contribute to the high tax and premium pressure in Curacao.

Financial management
On September 10th and 11th, 2024, the CFT visited Curacao. The main focus of this visit was financial management. In its deliberation with Curacao's Council of Ministers, the CFT expressed its concerns about the improvement of financial management, which is not at the projected level. Although good steps are being taken by Curacao, the goal of obtaining an unqualified audit opinion for the annual accounts of 2026 is at risk. The CFT urged the Curacao government to make the utmost effort to permanently improve financial management.

Adequate financial management is important when it comes to ensuring that public resources are effectively and correctly used, without wasting or misusing them. Furthermore, transparency and annual justification of the (financial) policy pursued are essential to a reliable government.

Since 2019, Curacao has been working on the improvement of financial management with the aid of the Roadmap toward an unqualified audit opinion for the annual accounts of 2026. The CFT does see improvement, but there is a risk of delay. With a correct prioritization of measures, efficient deployment of people and resources, and a continuous political commitment of Curacao’s Council of Ministers, Curacao will be able to achieve results.

Investments
From 2025 onwards, Curacao budgets a considerable increase in new investments, partly financed by means of loans taken out with the Netherlands. For some time now, the CFT has been drawing attention to the relatively low investment level, and it considers this to be a welcome development. In that context, the Cft points out the importance of economically profitable investments that strengthen the country’s economy. The Cft still has to evaluate the intention to take out new loans. It is therefore of important that Curacao submit the data regarding the public sector as soon as possible.