PHILIPSBURG:--- The Police Force of Sint Maarten (KPSM) is issuing a formal warning to motorcyclists in the community. Over the past few weeks, we have seen a sudden rise in motorcycles equipped with “cherry bomb” mufflers, riding from early morning until late evening and causing significant noise disturbance. This has led to numerous complaints from residents, many of whom are unable to sleep due to the disruptions.

We would like to remind these bike owners/riders that this behavior violates the Sint Maarten Noise Ordinance, which also forms part of the broader traffic regulations governing public conduct on Sint Maarten. 

These ordinances are designed to protect the peace and well-being of the community, and KPSM will enforce these laws.

As we approach the festive period from Easter to Carnival, KPSM will take serious measures against these riders, including fines, vehicle seizures, and possible further legal action for those who disregard these warnings.

We urge all motorcyclists to respect the laws and peace of the community and adjust their motorcycles and their behavior as riders accordingly.

Together, we can ensure a safer and quieter environment for all.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Ministry of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication (TEATT), through its Inspectorate of Economic and Transport Affairs (IETA), informs the public that the newly installed fuel pumps at the former “Scott” Gas Station on Bush Road have been inspected and calibrated.

Following the completion of installation works, IETA Economic Controllers conducted on-site checks to ensure that the pumps are dispensing fuel accurately and in accordance with applicable standards.

Consumer Protection and Transparency

The inspection confirmed that:

• Fuel pumps are operating properly and dispensing fuel accurately;
• Consumers are receiving the quantity of fuel for which they are paying;
• The pumps have been verified and approved for use.

In accordance with the requirements of the Ijkverordening, a formal declaration of verification has been issued following the inspection.

Clear Pricing in XCG

The Inspectorate has also verified that fuel prices are clearly displayed in Caribbean Guilders (XCG), helping to prevent confusion for both residents and visitors and ensuring full price transparency.

Ongoing Monitoring

The Ministry recognizes that fuel prices remain a concern for the public. IETA will continue to carry out routine inspections to ensure compliance and to safeguard consumer interests.

Commitment to the Public

The Government of Sint Maarten remains committed to fair trade practices, transparency, and consumer protection. The public can be assured that the Inspectorate is actively monitoring developments and taking the necessary steps to ensure compliance.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Government of St. Maarten has announced an increase in fuel prices, citing rising costs on the international market and the need for local suppliers to restock at higher rates. The adjustment, which took effect at 6:00 a.m. on April 3, 2026, impacts both gasoline (ULG) and diesel (gasoil) prices across the island.

According to the official public announcement, the government regulates petroleum prices by setting maximum allowable rates for wholesalers and retailers. Recent global developments have driven up fuel prices worldwide, forcing suppliers such as SOL to purchase gasoline and diesel at significantly higher costs. These increases were verified by the Department of Economy, Transportation, and Telecommunication before the adjustment was implemented.

Under the new pricing structure, the maximum consumer price for gasoline (ULG) has risen from 2.850 to 3.055 guilders per liter. Diesel (gasoil) has also seen an increase, climbing from 2.679 to 2.716 guilders per liter.

The detailed price breakdown provided in the announcement shows that several components contributed to the increase, including freight costs, import duties, and wholesale margins. The government emphasized that all figures were carefully calculated and rounded to three decimal places to ensure transparency in the pricing structure.

Officials noted that while the increase may place additional pressure on consumers and businesses, the adjustment is necessary to maintain a stable fuel supply on the island. Without the price revision, suppliers would face difficulties sustaining operations under current market conditions.

The Ministry of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Traffic, and Telecommunication reaffirmed its commitment to monitoring global fuel trends and ensuring that local pricing remains fair and reflective of international realities.

Residents are encouraged to stay informed through official government channels for any future adjustments as market conditions continue to evolve.

PHILIPSBURG:---  The Department of Statistics (STAT), in collaboration with the General Audit Chamber, wishes to clarify the scope and intended interpretation of the recently published audit concerning the environment in which official statistics are produced in Sint Maarten.

This clarification is necessary in light of recent public commentary and media coverage that may have created the impression that the audit concluded that Sint Maarten’s official statistics are inaccurate or unreliable. That interpretation is incorrect.

The audit reviewed the institutional, operational, and resource environment in which STAT carries out its work, including matters such as staffing, governance, data access, stakeholder coordination, documentation, and internal processes. Importantly, the audit did not test, validate, or verify the accuracy of STAT’s published statistical figures or outputs. The report itself makes clear that the review focused on the conditions under which statistics are produced, rather than on testing the figures already published.

A clear distinction must therefore be made between:

• the operating environment in which official statistics are produced; and
• the technical methodologies and standards used in the production of those statistics.

 Although the General Audit Chamber did not test statistical outputs, STAT mentions it continues to produce official statistics using internationally recognized scientific and statistical methodologies, including established approaches to sampling, weighting, estimation, and validation. These methods are aligned with accepted international standards and are supported, where relevant, through technical collaboration with recognized institutions such as CARTAC and Statistics Netherlands (CBS).

The Department of Statistics also states its commitment to operating in accordance with the United Nations Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics, which guide the production of official data based on professionalism, scientific rigor, impartiality, and transparency.

The audit identifies important areas where the broader statistical system can and should be strengthened, particularly in relation to staffing, documentation, data-sharing arrangements, quality control procedures, and inter-agency coordination. These findings are constructive and relevant to the continued development of the national statistical system. They do not constitute a finding that the official statistics currently published by STAT have been invalidated or found to be inaccurate. Reliability of statistics does not depend only on final figures, but on the systems, resources, and controls behind them. The audit therefore rather focused on whether those conditions are in place.

As with national statistical offices worldwide, STAT relies in part on data received from households, businesses, and partner institutions across both the public and private sectors. Timely, complete, and consistent cooperation from these stakeholders remains essential to maintaining a strong, responsive, and resilient national statistical system. In this regard, the audit’s recommendations support the continued strengthening of the broader environment in which official statistics are produced.

STAT and the General Audit Chamber therefore underscore that the report should be understood as a constructive assessment aimed at strengthening the systems, coordination, and institutional conditions that support official statistics in Sint Maarten. It was also the intention that based on the findings of the audit, the Government will facilitate the Stat dept with the necessary resources needed to execute it’s responsibility. It should not be interpreted as a conclusion that the official statistics themselves were tested and found to be unreliable.

STAT remains committed to transparency, continuous improvement, and the production of high-quality official statistics that support sound policymaking, informed public dialogue, and national development. To this end, the Stat dept is presently acquiring Technical Support for one year throught the Country Package project to further strengthen and improve the technical aspects of the Department.

For further information or clarification, please contact the Department of Statistics at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or the General Audit Chamber at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. The report is available on the website of the General Audit Chamber: www.arsxm.org.