PHILIPSBURG:--- The Minister of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure (VROMI), Patrice Gumbs, expressed his gratitude to the KPSM for their efforts in combating crime, as demonstrated by the actions that resulted in the unfortunate accident on Suckergarden Road today.

Minister Gumbs also took note of the allegations by community members that the accident was related to the conditions on Suckergarden Road. While not dispelling the need for interventions, the Minister asked the community to allow the traffic police investigation to run its course.

Regarding the status of Suckergarden Road repairs, Gumbs indicated that the Ministry has been proactive in repairing and upgrading infrastructure, some of which has formed part of the private-public partnerships being rolled out. The Ministry is in the final stages of awarding the contract for repairs for Suckergarden Road. While persons may expect these things to proceed faster, the government is limited in how quickly work can be executed by procurement regulations, internal and external capacity, and budgetary constraints.

The Minister thanks the public for their understanding and expresses his heartfelt wishes for a speedy recovery to the KPSM officers involved.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The General Audit Chamber has published their latest report entitled “Audit on the Reliability of Statistics.” The report reviews the environment in which the Department of Statistics (STAT) operates and assesses whether it supports the Department's ability to produce reliable national statistics.

The audit was carried out in response to public concerns about the timeliness and accuracy of statistics, and the role these statistics play in measuring St. Maarten’s progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The report finds that STAT operates under challenging conditions, both within government and in relation to external partners. Several factors were identified that affect the department’s ability to function effectively. Within the department, there has been a high staff turnover. There are also difficulties in attracting staff with the required technical skills. As a result, it is difficult for STAT to carry out its annual work, improve its processes and maintain relationships with data providers and users.

These staffing challenges have led to a reliance on external consultants, limited quality control, and delays in publishing statistics. In addition, the department has not had a permanent Department Head since 2024, with the role being fulfilled on an acting basis. During the audit, several new staff members were hired. However, a 2022 peer review by CBS Netherlands indicated that at least ten qualified staff members are needed to carry out the work program. Maintaining and expanding staff capacity remains an important issue.

Externally, there are also challenges. STAT faces difficulties in collecting complete data, especially through surveys and government records. Incomplete data affects the accuracy and usefulness of statistics. Stronger cooperation between government departments could improve this situation.

The report also notes that several organizations in St. Maarten already collect useful data. Better data-sharing between these organizations and STAT could improve the quality and relevance of national statistics. High staff turnover has made it difficult to develop these connections, but recent hiring may create new opportunities.

The full report is available on the website of the General Audit Chamber: www.arsxm.org

PHILIPSBURG:---  The NAPB Police Union reiterates its urgent call to the Government of Sint Maarten, particularly the Minister of Justice and the Minister of Finance, to immediately reinstate full Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) insurance coverage for all officers of the Sint Maarten Police Force.

The serious incident that occurred on March 19, 2026, in which three officers were gravely injured while responding to a robbery in progress, is a painful reminder of the dangers officers face every day in the line of duty. These men and women put their lives on the line without hesitation to protect the community.

Police officers require comprehensive AD&D insurance coverage that provides immediate and adequate financial protection to them and their families in the event of death or life-altering injuries sustained in the line of duty. Relying solely on smartengeld (compensation after the fact) is insufficient and fails to provide the level of security and assurance that officers deserve.

Smartengeld is often subject to lengthy procedures, legal uncertainties, and discretionary determinations. It does not replace the certainty and structured protection that a full insurance policy guarantees. Officers should not have to rely on post-incident compensation mechanisms when proactive, properly structured insurance coverage is in place.

NAPB Sint Maarten, therefore, calls on the Government to:

* Reinstate full Accidental Death and Dismemberment insurance coverage without delay;
* Ensure that coverage reflects the high-risk nature of police work; and
* Engage in meaningful dialogue with the Union to secure long-term protections for all officers.

Our officers continue to serve with courage and dedication. It is the Government’s responsibility to ensure that when the worst happens, those who protect the community — and their families — are fully protected in return.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The President of the NAPB- Sint Maarten, Marcus Pantophlet, is urgently calling on the Honorable Minister of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment, and Infrastructure to take immediate and decisive action to address the deteriorating road conditions around Sint Maarten.
On March 19, 2026, at approximately 9:20 AM, Patrols were dispatched to respond to a robbery in progress. A patrol consisting of three police officers, while responding to the robbery, was involved in a serious traffic accident on Sucker Garden Road. Preliminary information indicates that a large, hazardous pothole in the roadway may have been a contributing factor in this incident.
These officers were performing their sworn duty — responding swiftly to protect life and property — when they were placed in grave danger by unsafe infrastructure. The severity of the accident underscores the very real risks our officers face daily, not only from criminal elements but also from preventable environmental hazards such as poorly maintained roads.
It is nothing short of alarming that while responding to an emergency call, three dedicated officers could have lost their lives because of infrastructure deficiencies. This situation is unacceptable.
NAPB-Sint Maarten stresses that safe, well-maintained roads are not a luxury — they are a fundamental necessity for public safety. Police officers, ambulance personnel, firefighters, and citizens alike depend on reliable infrastructure to carry out their responsibilities and daily activities safely.
We therefore strongly urge the Ministry to:
Conduct an immediate inspection of Sucker Garden Road and other high-risk areas.
Prioritize urgent repairs of hazardous potholes and road damage.
Implement a structured and transparent road maintenance plan.
Ensure ongoing monitoring to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Public safety is a shared responsibility. Our officers must be able to respond to emergencies without fearing that the very roads they travel may become life-threatening obstacles.
NAPB- Sint Maarten stands firmly in support of the officers involved and calls on the Government of Sint Maarten to treat this matter with the seriousness it demands. We will continue to advocate for safer working conditions for all law enforcement personnel and for the protection of the wider community.

Marcus Pantophlet
President,
NAPB -Sint Maarten