PHILIPSBURG:--- During the government press briefing today, the current Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Traffic, and Telecommunication (TEATT), Grisha Heyliger-Marten, revealed the shocking results of an integrity investigation into the issuance of bus and taxi licenses under the tenure of former Minister Arthur Lambriex. The investigation, conducted by the Integrity Chamber, uncovered systemic failures, gross misuse of authority, and glaring disregard for legislative frameworks and integrity protocols.
The findings paint a deeply concerning picture of mishandling, with irregularities tainting nearly every aspect of the licensing process in 2023. Minister Heyliger-Marten described the report as "a harsh indictment of the past administration's actions" and vowed to take comprehensive measures to restore public trust in the Ministry.
Findings of the Investigation
The investigation reveals extensive violations committed under the oversight of former Minister Lambriex. These include, but are not limited to, the following serious breaches:
- Failure to Adhere to Legislative Frameworks:
Licenses were issued outside the boundaries of the 2014 moratorium, a critical policy designed to regulate the issuance of public transportation licenses. Despite the moratorium's still-active status, licenses were granted prematurely, undermining compliance with established regulations.
- Misuse of Authority and Political Motivations:
The findings reveal that members of Minister Lambriex's cabinet directly intervened in the process, bypassing standard procedures and issuing licenses in ways that raise concerns of favoritism and political manipulation. Documents show that some applications were processed before any public notice permitting such submissions was even issued. Furthermore, improper delegation reportedly enabled questionable practices, such as instructing staff to accept applications outside approved windows.
- Lack of Administrative Oversight and Checks:
The investigation highlights a complete absence of checks and balances within the administrative process. A single senior license advisor, who also served as acting department head, was responsible for every step of the process, including assessing applications, issuing licenses, and overseeing approvals. This created an environment ripe for errors and potential misconduct.
- Integrity Risks and Procedural Failures:
Applications were routinely processed without meeting the required documentation standards, including missing tax declarations and approval justifications. Some licenses were issued without proper advice, while others lacked essential details such as license numbers and issuance dates.
- Erosion of Public Trust Through Questionable Timing:
The decision to revise the moratorium policy and issue new licenses came suspiciously close to the January 2024 elections. This timing, along with the lack of substantiating data for lifting license caps, has fueled public speculation about vote-buying and political gain at the expense of government transparency.
"This report sheds light on a disturbing erosion of integrity, fairness, and accountability within the Ministry during former Minister Lambriex’s tenure," stated Minister Heyliger-Marten during today’s briefing. "Instead of upholding their duty to serve the public ethically and transparently, those entrusted with authority chose to manipulate processes for purposes which, at the very least, damage government credibility."
Minister Heyliger-Marten emphasized that the Ministry cannot and will not tolerate practices that compromise governance and erode public confidence. "My administration is unyielding in its commitment to restoring integrity across all levels of government," she declared. Key steps outlined include an immediate overhaul of the procedures for issuing public transportation licenses, stricter adherence to legislative frameworks, and mandatory training workshops on accountability and ethics for all staff.
Minister Heyliger-Marten also announced plans to implement robust checks and balances, establish clearer procedural guidelines, and limit the discretionary powers that played a significant role in enabling Minister Lambriex’s administration to operate without proper accountability.
The Ministry has pledged to deliver periodic updates as it implements these reforms, ensuring that transparency and accountability remain at the forefront. "We owe it to the people of Sint Maarten to return this Ministry to one that operates with integrity, responsibility, and fairness," Minister Heyliger-Marten concluded.
The presentation of these findings marks the first step toward rectifying past failures and ensuring that they will not be repeated. Minister Heyliger-Marten has assured the public that the principles of transparency, fairness, and legal compliance will guide future decisions.
