ORANJESTAD, Aruba:--- Kadaster St. Maarten and DLV/Kadaster Aruba have taken a significant step forward in regional collaboration by signing a Letter of Intent (LOI) to strengthen cooperation in cadastral management and geospatial development across the Caribbean.

The agreement, signed during an official visit by Managing Director of Kadaster St. Maarten Benjamin Ortega, and hosted by Aruba's Minister of Housing, Infrastructure, Internal Service, and Telecommunications Gervais René "Baba" Herdé, establishes a framework for sustained institutional collaboration. It reflects a shared recognition that modern land administration and spatial data systems are central to national development, infrastructure planning, and environmental stewardship.

The LOI positions both institutions to work more closely across several key areas: the exchange of technical expertise and best practices in land registration and geospatial information management; joint training and professional development initiatives; dialogue on governance structures and legal frameworks; and the exploration of advanced technologies such as GIS systems and drone-based mapping.

"This agreement reflects a strategic shift toward regional cooperation as a necessity, not an option," Ortega stated. "Our islands face similar development pressures. By aligning our knowledge, tools, and capacity, we strengthen not only our individual institutions but the resilience and sustainability of the Caribbean as a whole."

Central to the discussions was the proposed Caribbean Cadastre Association (CCA), an emerging regional platform aimed at uniting cadastral institutions across the Caribbean to foster structured collaboration, technical exchange, and professional development, positioning the region as a more integrated and capable geospatial network.

Minister Herdé welcomed the initiative, underscoring Aruba's commitment to partnerships that enhance institutional capacity and support innovation in land and infrastructure management.

The agreement, while non-binding, provides a practical and flexible foundation for collaboration, allowing both parties to pursue joint initiatives, pilot projects, and knowledge-sharing opportunities that can be scaled regionally. The visit also facilitated discussions on future cooperation in infrastructure data management, improved cadastral services, and cross-island technical exchanges.

The signing marks a decisive step toward a more coordinated Caribbean approach to geospatial development, where collaboration, innovation, and capacity-building serve as the foundation for sustainable growth and informed governance.

PHILIPSBURG: --- Prime Minister and Minister of General Affairs, Dr. Luc Mercelina, addressed several issues at the Council of Ministers press briefing. They are as follows:

The Central Bank and Monetary Options

The Prime Minister began by emphasizing a fundamental principle regarding the Central Bank of Curaçao and Sint Maarten.

"The Central Bank is not merely an institution serving two autonomous countries. It is a mechanism grounded in shared economic interest, financial stability and regional cooperation," he stated. He noted that the tension field in which the Central Bank functions is not something of today but has been present since the transition to country status.

While Sint Maarten remains committed to the partnership, he stressed that "governance of the Central Bank must always reflect equity between both countries, not dominance by one." An 80-20 dynamic shareholdership must never determine governance outcomes, as the integrity of the institution depends on shared decision-making and transparency.

Addressing the recent transition to the Caribbean Guilder, which was decided before he took office, the Prime Minister clarified that he is carefully examining all future options, including dollarization.

"The Prime Minister did not say that he is going to dollarize the country. No, the Prime Minister is saying that he is looking into options for the best interests of its people," he explained. If dollarization were ever pursued, he noted that the government must ensure a direct and fair conversion to protect purchasing power and prevent artificial price increases.

National Advisory Committee for Geopolitical Developments

In response to global conflicts and their potential local impacts, the Council of Ministers has decided to initiate a national advisory committee for geopolitical developments.

Key areas of focus for this committee include:

• Continuity of food security

• Guaranteeing continuity of fuel availability

• Access to medicine and healthcare continuity

• Security and public safety preparedness

• Connectivity and accessibility, including maritime routes and airlift capacity

"The objective, of course, is to ensure that Sint Maarten is better prepared, better coordinated and more resilient in the face of both regional and global disruptions," he stated.

Addressing Traffic Congestion

The Prime Minister provided a stark reality check regarding the island's severe traffic congestion. He pointed out that Sint Maarten is the 11th most densely populated area in the world yet relies on only seven main roads.

With approximately 30,160 registered cars for an estimated population of 60,000, there is "one car for each two people in this country." This is compounded by an average of 4,657 cruise tourists and 6,500 stayovers and transfer tourists added to the island daily.

"We want the hotels. We want condos. We want the Airbnbs... but we do not want the traffic that comes with it," he observed.

To combat this, the government is exploring several solutions:

• "Looping the traffic" to change two-direction roads into one-way flows

• Reorganization of public transportation and improving bus stops

• Opening new access routes, such as the road from Weymouth Hill to Dutch Quarter, and from St. Peter over Marigot Hill to the French side

• Improving connectivity between Cay Hill and Cole Bay

• Placing police officers at crucial bottleneck points to help the flow

Internal Administrative Matter

Before concluding, the Prime Minister briefly addressed an internal administrative matter involving a national decree.

"Consistent with my approach in previous matters, I will not divulge the identity of the individual... because I really believe in the integrity of the investigation that has to take place," he stated. He emphasized that the matter remains under review and the appropriate processes will be allowed to take their course to protect the parties involved.

PHILIPSBURG:---  The Government of Sint Maarten and the World Bank have approved the Sustaining Program Effectiveness and Advancing Resilience (SPEAR) project to strengthen public sector systems, deepen institutional capacity, and safeguard jobs and the long-term sustainability of Trust Fund investments that have supported the country’s recovery and resilience since Hurricane Irma.

Stressing the importance of sustainability, the  Marinka J. Gumbs, Minister of Finance, Government of Sint Maarten, said, “The SPEAR Project represents a major step forward in how Sint Maarten builds and sustains resilience. By strengthening our governance systems and operational capacity, we are making sustainability a core part of our recovery. SPEAR provides essential fiduciary support for ongoing projects and drives better services across government—particularly through improved budgeting and modernized procurement.”

SPEAR will strengthen decision-making, resource flows, and accountability enforcement in Sint Maarten.  As part of its portfolio, the project will support the establishment of a Disaster Reserve Fund (DRF) to manage risks and, once sufficiently financed, ensure that, when the next shock occurs, a resilient Sint Maarten can finance the initial response from its own resources.

In addition, it will modernize budget preparation systems and embed monitoring and evaluation tools across government operations. This will help to ensure that gains from Trust Fund projects are institutionalized and strengthened over time, supporting sustained results throughout the Trust Fund’s extended implementation period and beyond.

“The SPEAR Project shifts Sint Maarten’s recovery from project delivery to institutional strengthening,” said Lilia Burunciuc, World Bank Director for the Caribbean. “Sint Maarten will be better equipped to manage risks, allocate resources efficiently, and sustain the impacts of transformational investments financed under the Trust Fund.”

By strengthening government systems, SPEAR helps create and sustain long-term jobs by supporting local firms, building skills, and enabling smoother project delivery in Sint Maarten.

PHILIPSBURG:--- Residents and visitors in Sint Maarten are raising serious concerns about the local parking system. The situation escalated recently when the parking lot was temporarily closed following reports of funds being stolen, underscoring the urgent need for improved oversight. Despite previous government promises of an automated upgrade, persistent issues with cash handling and a lack of accountability continue to frustrate the public, with many questioning exactly when the long-promised automated system will be installed as theft and mismanagement persist.

Cash Payments and Missing Receipts

A recurring problem lies at the center of the controversy: people frequently report paying for parking in cash without receiving a ticket or any proof of payment. These complaints are not new. Over the years, there have also been troubling reports of blank parking cards being sold for $500 per month to allow parking behind the old government building. Allegations have surfaced that senior civil servants were involved in the sale of these cards, with the collected funds never officially accounted for or turned over to the government coffers. Such recurring issues leave citizens questioning how management handles these payments, whether proper financial controls exist, and why meaningful oversight has yet to materialize.

Furthermore, the same individuals continue to staff these parking roles, even as the same types of grievances pile up. The public is asking why leadership has not taken corrective action or implemented visible improvements to address these ongoing issues.

Questions Surround Automated System Tender

The Minister of Finance previously informed the public that a public tender took place for a new automated parking system. However, officials have provided no clear updates on the timeline for its rollout.

This silence leaves several pressing questions unanswered:

• When exactly did the public tender take place?

• What is the current status of the procurement process?

• When was the formal advice submitted to the Council of Ministers?

• When can the public actually expect a functioning automated system?

Calls for Accountability and Reform

With no visible improvements, confidence in the parking infrastructure continues to decline. Both locals and tourists bear the brunt of these unresolved issues. The community is now demanding clear answers regarding the delayed automated system and immediate action to ensure transparency and accountability in the current daily operations.