PHILIPSBURG:--- A long-simmering transport scandal has erupted in St. Maarten, exposing what appears to be decades of deep-rooted corruption, cronyism, and a blatant betrayal of public trust. An explosive combination of leaked documents and fiery parliamentary debates has blown the lid off a system where taxi, bus, and tour licenses were allegedly hoarded by political elites, used as currency for loyalty, and duplicated in a scheme that has left the public transport sector in chaos.
At the heart of the controversy is a leaked list of public transport licenses issued since St. Maarten achieved its new status in 2010 and prior. This list, combined with other official documents, paints a damning picture of a system manipulated for personal and political gain.
The Duplication Scheme: A License to Corrupt
The most shocking revelation from the leaked data is the widespread duplication of license numbers. A single license number, which by law should be tied to one operator, was repeatedly issued to multiple individuals, often for different types of vehicles.
For example, leaked documents highlight several glaring instances from 2013 alone:
- License No#034/2013 was issued to both Matthias Carlisle Williams for Taxi #392 and Edward Cleophas Richardson for Taxi #015.
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- License No#020/2013 was granted to Alejandro Alvarez for Bus #219 and also to Charles Vidal for Taxi #386.
- In a particularly brazen case, License No#023/2013 was issued to three different people: Henry Joseph Adolphin, Timia Jones, and Rosa Alvarez e/v Richardson, effectively triplicating the license.
In total, an analysis from 2013 showed at least 24 licenses were duplicated, and one was triplicated, impacting 49 license holders. This practice of "doubling" licenses effectively created phantom assets, allowing connected individuals to control more of the market than legally permitted while creating a nightmare for regulation and enforcement.
Political Elites and Hoarded Power
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The scandal points directly at St. Maarten's political class. For years, politicians, their families, and their business partners have allegedly amassed vast portfolios of transport licenses, contrary to the law, which stipulates they should be issued to operators who depend on them as a primary source of income.
- Investigative reports reveal that influential figures hold as many as 8 to10 licenses each, controlling fleets of up to 30 vehicles. One of the most alarming cases involves Claude Omeus, who reportedly controls 21 bus licenses, allegedly leasing them out to drivers who can barely
make ends meet. This system enriches the license holder while the actual operators shoulder all the risk and cost of maintenance and insurance.
The issue exploded in Parliament when Member of Parliament (MP) Lyndon Lewis, a former federal detective, launched a blistering attack on his colleagues. Lewis accused lawmakers of leveraging their positions for personal enrichment and turning a blind eye to the decades-old problem.
“Taxi plates… became political currency… while regular citizens were denied,” Lewis stated, arguing that licenses were used to “cement loyalty” and reward political allies. He called out the hypocrisy of lawmakers who feigned outrage at a system they themselves benefited from.
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Systemic Failure and a Path Forward
This crisis is not just about individual greed; it's a story of institutional collapse. An internal investigation by the Integrity Chamber and the St. Maarten Audit Bureau (SOAB) found that the Public Transportation Committee, a crucial oversight body, has not functioned since 2009. This regulatory vacuum allowed successive Ministers of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport, and Telecommunication (TEATT) to issue licenses with little to no accountability.
In response to the public outcry, the current Minister of TEATT, Grisha Heyliger-Marten, has promised a five-phase reform package. The plan includes:
- A complete audit and verification of all existing transport licenses.
- Mandatory certifications for all drivers.
- An overhaul of the transport legislation to close legal loopholes.
- The implementation of a digital dispatch system for better regulation.]
- The establishment of a dedicated Transport Authority by 2027 to manage licensing.
The minister has also vowed to revoke non-compliant licenses, a move that could strip power from some of the island's most entrenched players.
This scandal cuts to the core of governance in St. Maarten. It raises critical questions about accountability, transparency, and whether political power is a tool for public service or a means for personal profit. As the island grapples with these revelations, the promises of reform will be tested against a four-decade legacy of corruption. The trust of the people has been broken, and only a radical, transparent overhaul of the system can begin to mend it.