PHILIPSBURG:---  In response to the escalating situation at the Point Blanche Prison, where portions of the facility have been set ablaze during a violent riot, Members of Parliament and Faction of the United People's Party, MP Omar Ottley and MP Francisco Lacroes are calling on the Minister of Justice to take swift and decisive action to protect the lives of both inmates and prison personnel.

“This is a critical moment that demands immediate leadership and coordination from the highest levels of Government,” MP Ottley stated. “The safety and security of the prison’s staff and inmates must be the top priority. We cannot afford to allow bureaucratic stagnation to paralyze our response in times of crisis.” MP Lacroes Stated.

The UPP Faction has long voiced concerns about the deteriorating state of affairs within the Justice Ministry, particularly the lack of strategic oversight and execution. During recent parliamentary sessions, Ottley pressed the current Minister of Justice to move away from micromanagement and to focus on tangible results.

“For months, I have been warning that the Minister’s inability to finalize the legal positions (LBs) for police officers is affecting the entire justice chain,” MP Ottley said. “Her failure to act has now left our prison system vulnerable. The ongoing unrest is not just a wake-up call but the consequence of inaction.” MP Lacroes Stated.

The UPP urge the Government to mobilize all necessary resources, restore order, and immediately assess the facility for damages and risk. We must protect the people working inside that prison, and ensure that all inmates are treated humanely and with dignity—even amid such unrest.”

PHILIPSBURG:--- Just before 4:00 PM on Tuesday, May 14, 2025, personnel from the Sint Maarten Police Force (KPSM), Fire Department, and Ambulance Services were dispatched to the old Post Office parking lot on De Brot Street following reports of a fire and injured persons.

Upon arrival, first responders encountered an adult male and female. The male victim had sustained burn injuries to his lower extremities, while the female victim was reported to have sustained undetermined injuries.

Preliminary investigation indicates that both individuals had been residing in an abandoned bus parked at the location and were reportedly cooking when the incident occurred.

Both victims received medical attention on the scene from paramedics and were subsequently transported to the Sint Maarten Medical Center (SMMC) for further treatment.

Firefighters successfully extinguished the fire inside the bus. Detectives and forensic personnel are actively investigating the cause of the incident.

KPSM Press Release.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Ministry of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment & Infrastructure (VROMI) hereby informs the public of an upcoming temporary full road closure on a segment of Walter A. Nisbeth Road.

This is necessary to facilitate the continuation of essential road marking works on Walter Nisbeth Road, Philipsburg a critical undertaking under the Department of Infrastructure’s Asphalt Road Resurfacing Project 2023-2024. These works are scheduled to recommence on Sunday, May 18th, 2025 until the following morning Monday May 19th, 2025.

To ensure the proper execution of these road marking activities, a full road closure will be in effect on Walter A. Nisbeth Road, specifically from the intersection with Percy Labega Street to the location of the Traffic Stop Lights.

The duration of this road closure will be from 8:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.

During the hours, motorists are advised to utilize the following designated alternative routes:

• Vehicular traffic proceeding in the eastbound direction (towards Point Blanche, the Boardwalk, and the Emancipation Monument) is to divert onto Cannegieter Street.

• Vehicular traffic proceeding in the westbound direction (towards Bush Road and Simpson Bay) is also to utilize Cannegieter Street.

Key Detailed Information:

Location: Walter A. Nisbeth Road, from Percy Labega Street to the Traffic Stop Lights.

Reason for Closure: Completion Road Markings.

Date of Closure: Sunday May 18th until the following morning Monday May 19th, 2025.

Time of Closure: 8:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.

Alternative Routes: Cannegieter Street for both eastbound and westbound traffic.

The Ministry of VROMI acknowledges that this temporary road closure may cause inconvenience and wishes to emphasize the importance of these road marking works for the overall safety and efficiency of our road network.

For more information regarding this road closure please email the Department of Infrastructure at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call us at 542-4292 ext 2387.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The West Vue development has been a focal point of attention, with legal battles and public discourse shaping its progress. While the recent signing of civil works permits marked a step forward, the developers behind the project have voiced significant challenges that continue to impact their efforts. Beyond the headlines, their story reveals the hardships of navigating bureaucratic requirements, legal disputes, and financial losses. This article sheds light on their struggles and commitment to overcoming obstacles for the future of the project and the community.

Resubmission of Permits Under Protest

One of the key updates in the West Vue project has been the issuance of three civil works permits covering excavation, demolition, and vegetation removal. However, what many may not realize is that the developers resubmitted these permits under protest. Despite complying with the legal requirements to move the project forward, they felt compelled to express their objection to the process.

The government's decision to issue the permits followed extensive correspondence between the government's legal representatives, the developers’ lawyer, and a neighbor’s lawyer. After completing the resubmission process, the developers received the final invoice, which was promptly paid. While the issuance of permits might seem like progress on paper, it comes with a lingering frustration for the developers, who have been caught in a web of delays and restrictions.

The Stop Order's Continued Impact

Despite obtaining the permits, a stop order remains in effect, keeping the developers in limbo. This restriction has far-reaching consequences. Without the ability to proceed with excavation or other preparatory work, the developers are unable to sell properties, secure buyers, or make headway on the project. The dry season, an ideal time for excavation, is slipping away, leaving the team unable to capitalize on favorable weather conditions.

Adding to the challenges is the issue of financial penalties, which the developers describe as "daily and continuous." These penalties compound the financial burden and intensify the emotional toll on those involved. The stop order has created a bottleneck, stalling progress and eroding opportunities, all while the penalties stack up.

Financial and Emotional Struggles

The developers have openly shared the cost of these ongoing delays, which extend beyond monetary losses. Buyers—past, present, and potential future—have backed out and cannot wait indefinitely for progress. The financial strain of legal battles and operational disruptions has been compounded by the emotional burden of fighting an uphill battle under high-stakes circumstances.

Their frustration is further fueled by an unresolved question that echoes through their grievances: Why were their activities halted while others proceeded without civil works permits? This glaring inconsistency feels unjust to the developers and raises broader questions about fairness and enforcement within the permitting process.

A Commitment to Survival and Future Progress

Despite facing these challenges, the developers have made their commitment clear. They remain steadfast in their fight for survival, not just for the future of their project but for the precedent it sets for others in the development community. Their struggle goes beyond personal gain; it represents a broader challenge to the systems and processes that heavily impact developers, workers, buyers, and surrounding communities.

The West Vue team acknowledges the financial toll, legal complexities, and emotional hurdles, but they are determined to uphold their vision for the development. Legal proceedings are still ongoing, with the next court date set for May 16, 2025. While this marks another chapter in the legal battle, the developers are resolute in pushing forward and advocating for fair treatment.

Questions of Fairness and Transparency

At the heart of the developers’ grievances is a question they'd like answered: Why were they stopped when other projects without civil works permits have continued unabated? This discrepancy intensifies their frustration and undermines their confidence in the regulatory system. Transparency and consistency in applying permitting laws are critical to fostering trust between developers and governing bodies. The developers emphasize that their compliance with the law has come at a great cost, and they feel that such consistency should be demanded of all projects.

A Balancing Act Between Progress and Responsibility

The West Vue development is emblematic of the complex challenges that arise when development intersects with legal, environmental, and procedural demands. While progress has been made with signing necessary permits, the developers’ perspective underscores how incomplete resolutions can lead to prolonged struggles. The stop order, financial penalties, and lingering questions of fairness are stark reminders of the price they continue to pay.

Yet amidst these hardships, the developers remain committed to their vision. They are fighting not just for their survival, but also for the assurance that their project will contribute positively to the community. Their focus is on ensuring long-term compliance while navigating a challenging path forward.

The Road Ahead

The West Vue saga is far from over, with the ongoing court case slated to shape its future trajectory. Meanwhile, the developers are actively advocating for their rights, emphasizing the need for fairness, consistency, and transparency in enforcement across all projects. Their struggle highlights the broader challenges faced by the development industry and serves as a call to action for greater accountability and collaboration.

For now, the resolutions reached in the coming months and years will determine not only the fate of the West Vue project but also the principles that guide development in the region moving forward.