SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - Minister Plenipotentiary Patrice Gumbs has been recalled from the Netherlands and will be appointed as Minister of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment, and Infrastructure (VROMI) tomorrow, Tuesday, 25 June 2024. The Party for Progress (PFP) has taken the decision to focus its resources on the Ministry of VROMI, and in particular, the GEBE crisis.  

“While Kingdom relations remain a critical part of our agenda, especially as it relates to our financial stability, the current energy needs of the people call for urgent attention to this problem. In the limited time in the Netherlands, Minister Gumbs has hit the ground running using his knowledge and experience of government as well as his excellent diplomatic skills to work in the interest of Sint Maarten; we as a party believe his skills can play a critical role in addressing not only the current crisis but institute the necessary changes to strengthen VROMI,” stated PFP party leader and member of Parliament Melissa Gumbs. 

Following Governor Baly’s refusal to sign the National Decree to appoint PFP candidate Raeyhon Peterson as Minister of VROMI, the Minister of Public Health, Social Affairs, and Labour Mrs. Veronica Jansen-Webster has been acting as deputy in this position since the cabinet took office on May 3rd. In the coalition agreement, PFP also receives the role of Deputy Prime Minister, which will form part of Minister Patrice Gumbs’ new portfolio. 

In his time as Minister Plenipotentiary, Gumbs secured scholarships from the Indian Government, announced the creation of the diaspora database, and worked on realizing housing for students. This week a meeting with DUWO, one of the largest housing organizations in the Netherlands has been arranged with the Cabinet to discuss the expected needs for Sint Maarten students in the Netherlands. Gumbs also held discussions with representatives from the Dutch Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate on funding for energy transformation on Sint Maarten and the recently concluded TNO report that has gone to the Second Chamber, this following up from his leading the Sint Maarten part of the Kingdom delegation at the United Nations 4^th Small Island Developing States Conference in Antigua in May.

Following on from the World Bank Trust Fund Steering Committee meetings held in Washington D.C. at the end of last month, Gumbs met with the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations on financial matters and to devise a capacity plan for the Government. Drawing on his experience in Foreign Affairs, Gumbs also held discussions with representatives of the French Embassy on matters related to the border between both sides of the island.

As part of his final duties, last Friday, Gumbs attended the Kingdom Council of Ministers meeting (RMR), for both his first and his last time, as well as the last of the current Dutch Government. In his address Gumbs stressed the importance of continued cooperation within the Kingdom based on mutual respect, accountability, and trust.

“Consideration has to be given by the Dutch to the small island realities of a developing country like Sint Maarten and what the Kingdom says abroad must also be reflected in its dealings internally; but, like in every relationship, we as Sint Maarteners have to do our part as well; and I and my Government look forward to the opportunities to bridge this gap with the incoming Dutch Government.”

Party for Progress thanked URSM and Minister Jansen-Webster, for their support during the past month. Deputy Minister Plenipotentiary Gracita Arrindell will fill in the function upon Gumbs’ departure from the Netherlands.

SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - The Board of the Nation Opportunity Wealth (NOW) Party on Thursday issued a strong warning to the people of St. Maarten to remain vigilant against the instigators within the opposition parties.

These parties, having spent four years in government without making any significant progress, are now attempting to mislead the public by trying to cover the fact that their fingerprints are all over the country's shortcomings.

"Remember why you voted them out in January. You recognized that you deserve better. Thus far they have reminded you why they didn't deserve your vote," the NOW said.

The opposition parties, after manipulating the fall of the government, are now struggling to find issues to campaign on. They are trying to deceive the public into believing that the current government, which has been in office for a mere seven weeks, should have already resolved the numerous problems left behind by the former administration. This tactic is not only disingenuous but also a blatant attempt to deflect from their own shortcomings and failures.

"During their tenure, these opposition parties had ample opportunity to address the pressing issues facing our nation. Instead, they squandered four years without delivering any meaningful results. Now, in a desperate bid to regain power, they are resorting to fear-mongering and misinformation," the board of the NOW said.

The NOW Party remains steadfast in its commitment to transparency and truth. From the grassroots level up to the highest echelons of our organization, we pledge to continue serving the people of St. Maarten with honesty and integrity. We are dedicated to tackling the challenges facing our nation head-on and implementing sustainable solutions that will benefit all citizens.

"We urge the public to see through the manipulative tactics of the opposition and to trust in the NOW Party's vision for a prosperous and united St. Maarten. Our focus is on real progress and genuine improvement, not on empty promises and baseless accusations. As we move forward, the NOW Party will remain committed to keeping the people informed and engaged. We believe in the power of unity and the strength of our community," the party concluded.

SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - The Unified Resilient St. Maarten Movement (URSM) board acknowledges the recent surge of media releases from various political parties, filled with myriad revelations. As the election season progresses, it is vital for the citizens of St. Maarten to remain vigilant and discerning of these tactics. URSM firmly believes that addressing the country's myriad issues requires a continued hands-on, practical, and realistic approach.

Over the past four years, the people of St. Maarten have been vocal in their demand for genuine leadership and a passionate commitment to their welfare. It is perplexing to witness current Members of Parliament suddenly proposing ideas and initiatives that could have been implemented during their tenure. This prompts the question: what were they doing over the past four years? Are these sudden bursts of activity merely election tactics aimed at deceiving the electorate?

The URSM urges everyone to stay aware of the political maneuvering taking place, particularly by former candidates. The motivations behind one's candidacy—whether self-interest or national interest—must be critically examined. The phenomenon of candidates switching parties is not new, but it underscores the need for consistent and principled leadership. URSM remains steadfast and stronger than ever.

In a move that highlights our growing strength, URSM proudly announces the addition of three new board members: Luisandro Cicilia, Romeo Fleming, and Jacques Heemskerk. Their inclusion is a testament to the robustness and appeal of our movement.

Furthermore, the URSM board and leadership are eager to unveil our candidate list, showcasing a diverse and representative cross-section of our country. URSM is committed to inclusivity and will persist as a leading force in St. Maarten’s political landscape, buoyed by the unwavering confidence of the people.

SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - On World Oceans Day, early in the morning of June 8, approximately 50 volunteers led by PlasticFreeSXM, Environmental Protection in the Caribbean (EPIC), and the Nature Foundation successfully cleared plastic litter from Great Bay Beach, Little Bay Beach, and Simpson Bay Lagoon. The initiative successfully gathered a staggering 769 pounds of trash, highlighting the critical need to confront the escalating threats of plastic pollution and other debris in our marine environments.

The diverse range of collected waste included items such as plastic bottles, fishing lines, fast food styrofoam cartons, soda cans, bottle caps, and plastic straws. Volunteers also encountered unusual debris like an abandoned baby stroller and broken beach chairs. At Little Bay Beach, clear signs of illegal dumping were evident, with scattered construction materials and car parts.

Leslie Hickerson, Nature Foundation Manager, who led the clean-up at Simpson Bay Lagoon, commented, "In the challenging mangrove areas of Simpson Bay Lagoon, Tri-Sport's support was crucial. They generously donated kayaks free of charge and provided their guide, Pablo, who conducted safety briefings and guided volunteers to hard-to-reach areas. Additionally, IGY Marina's tenders, led by Captains Etienne Lake, Dave Sorrel, and Delroy Givans, played a key role in assisting our volunteers, enabling efficient debris collection across the lagoon. We managed to remove 25 bags of trash and debris from the mangroves."

Fleur Hermanides, EPIC Board President, praised the volunteers' commitment, stating, "Our volunteers showed remarkable dedication to environmental conservation, investing their time and efforts to clean our coastline and protect our natural resources."

Special acknowledgment was given to Caribbean General Contractors (CGC) for their generous donation of bins at the Simpson Bay and Belair locations, which played a crucial role in managing and properly disposing of the collected waste.

This year's World Oceans Day clean-up demonstrated the profound impact of collective action on combating plastic pollution and litter. PlasticFreeSXM is grateful to each volunteer, community member, and partner organization for their dedication and hard work. The team is excited about future clean-ups and looks forward to collaborating with additional sponsors interested in supporting environmental initiatives.

The event was a collaborative effort involving Environmental Protection in the Caribbean (EPIC), the Nature Foundation St. Maarten, and Plastic Free SXM, a project executed by the St. Maarten Development Fund (SMDF) on behalf of the Government of Sint Maarten. PlasticFreeSXM is supported by the Resilience, Sustainable Energy, and Marine Biodiversity (RESEMBID) programme, a 47-project initiative funded by the European Union and implemented by Expertise France - the development cooperation agency of the Government of France and supports sustainable human development efforts in 12 Caribbean Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) - Aruba, Anguilla, Bonaire, British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Curaçao, Montserrat, Saba, Sint Eustatius, Saint Barthélemy, Sint Maarten and Turks and Caicos. 

Volunteers are loading trash from the kayaks donated by Tri Sport onto IGY Marinas tenders.