PHILIPSBURG:--- Member of Parliament Ardwell Irion has publicly raised concerns regarding the Minister of Finance's use of paid consultants, questioning the ethics and transparency of the practice. During a recent radio interview, MP Irion suggested that such arrangements could compromise the independence of information and advice provided to the government.

The discussion arose in the context of a public debate surrounding the nomination process for the chairman of the Central Bank of Curaçao and Sint Maarten (CBCS). While analyzing an article written about the process, Irion pointed to its author, Mr. Fabian Badejo, as a "paid actor."

"This is a paid actor. He's paid as PR for the Minister of Finance," Irion stated, expressing his inability to trust the information presented. He elaborated on his position, questioning the objectivity of an individual compensated by the very official they are writing about. "If you're paid to write for the minister of finance, what you're going to write? You're paid to write exactly what you write," he added.

MP Irion’s comments highlight a broader concern about accountability and potential conflicts of interest within government operations. He argued that relying on paid consultants for public commentary and advice, particularly from individuals with political affiliations or financial ties to the government, could create an echo chamber that favors the administration's narrative.

"I have a lot of respect for all the people involved, but at the end of the day, if you want to do things independently, if you want to do things ethically, why would you then choose the entity...that's directly associated with the government politically?" Irion questioned.

He contrasted this with the established procedure of using the government's internal Legal Affairs department for unbiased advice, a step he claims was bypassed in the CBCS chairmanship nomination. Irion emphasized that internal departments are meant "to get unbiased advice to protect the institution and to protect the minister."

These statements frame a larger debate on governance, integrity, and the checks and balances necessary to ensure that government decisions are made in the public's best interest, free from undue influence. MP Irion maintains that his scrutiny is not politically motivated but is part of his duty as an opposition member to uphold legal procedures and demand accountability.

PHILIPSBURG:--- Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina delivered a candid and impassioned address on the financial realities facing Sint Maarten on Wednesday at the weekly press briefing. His remarks shed light on the island's ongoing struggle to balance its national budget, the challenges of sustaining essential services, and the broader implications for the country’s aspirations toward independence. The Prime Minister’s statements underscored the complexity of governing a small island nation with limited resources, a growing population, and significant financial obligations.

The Budgetary Dilemma

The 2025 national budget for Sint Maarten has been amended to 530 million guilders, a figure that the Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport, and Telecommunication (TEATT) has deemed insufficient. An additional 200 to 250 million guilders is required to meet the country’s needs effectively. However, the issue extends beyond the immediate shortfall. Dr. Mercelina highlighted the structural challenges that make it nearly impossible for Sint Maarten to present a balanced budget under current circumstances.

One of the most significant financial burdens is the repayment of loans to the Netherlands, which totals over 1.3 billion guilders. The Prime Minister lamented that much of the repayment goes toward interest rather than reducing the principal, creating a cycle of debt that could persist for generations. This financial strain limits the government’s ability to invest in critical areas such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure.

The Healthcare Conundrum

Healthcare is one of the most pressing issues in Sint Maarten’s budgetary landscape. The Prime Minister provided a stark breakdown of the island’s demographics to illustrate the unsustainable nature of the current healthcare system. Out of an estimated population of 60,000:

• 15,000 are children who do not contribute to healthcare premiums.
• Approximately 15,000 individuals over the age of 65 consume a significant portion of healthcare resources but contribute minimally to premiums.
• 15,000 are undocumented residents who also do not contribute to the system.

This leaves only 15,000 people to shoulder the financial burden of healthcare for the entire population. The Prime Minister emphasized that this formula is not sustainable, stating, “You cannot expect 15,000 people to pay for 60,000 and think that you have a sustainable financial healthcare system.” He called for innovative solutions to expand the base of contributors, acknowledging that without systemic changes, the healthcare system will remain financially unsustainable.

The Cost of Nation-Building

Dr. Mercelina also addressed the broader costs associated with nation-building and the quest for independence. He outlined several critical investments that would be necessary to achieve a self-sufficient and independent Sint Maarten, including:

• Establishing a police academy to strengthen law enforcement.
• Creating a national development bank to support economic growth.
• Reforming the education system to align with labor market demands.
• Developing a defense system to ensure national security.
• Dollarizing the economy and establishing a central bank to stabilize the financial system.

These initiatives, while essential for nation-building, come with a hefty price tag. The Prime Minister acknowledged that achieving these goals would require significant financial resources that the country currently does not have.

The Challenge of Balancing the Budget

In a moment of stark honesty, Dr. Mercelina addressed the historical difficulty of balancing Sint Maarten’s budget. He pointed out that since the country’s transition to its current status in 2010, there have been 12 governments and seven prime ministers before him, none of whom were able to achieve a balanced budget. “Do you think that I’m so exceptional to balance a budget for Sint Maarten, while seven before me have tried it? That is not the case,” he stated. The Prime Minister emphasized that the financial realities of Sint Maarten, with its small population and high expenses, make it nearly impossible to achieve a balanced budget under the current circumstances. He added, “If anyone thinks I have the magic formula to solve this problem, I have to be honest and say that the reality of Sint Maarten is different from that of larger countries.”

Balancing Revenue and Expenses

One of the key criticisms raised during the briefing was the government’s focus on increasing revenues rather than reducing expenses. Dr. Mercelina defended this approach, arguing that the financial realities of Sint Maarten make it difficult to cut costs without compromising essential services. He pointed out that the island’s small population and high expenses create a unique set of challenges. For example, maintaining institutions like the Social Economic Council (SER), the General Audit Chamber, and the Ombudsman is necessary to meet the standards of a functioning country, but these entities also consume a significant portion of the budget.

The Prime Minister stressed the importance of acknowledging these limitations, stating, “We have to realize and acknowledge our restrictions that we have of being a country with only 60,000 people.” He also highlighted the need for gratitude, noting that despite its challenges, Sint Maarten is faring better than many other Caribbean islands.

Dr. Mercelina’s remarks reflect a pragmatic approach to governance, rooted in the recognition of Sint Maarten’s financial and demographic realities. While he expressed a desire for greater financial resources to meet the country’s needs, he also acknowledged the limitations of what can be achieved with a small population and a constrained budget.

The Prime Minister’s vision for the future includes a balanced approach to increasing revenues and managing expenses, as well as a long-term strategy for nation-building. However, he was clear that achieving these goals will require difficult decisions and a collective effort from all stakeholders.

Sint Maarten’s financial challenges are a microcosm of the broader struggles faced by small island nations. The island’s limited resources, coupled with its aspirations for independence, create a complex and often contradictory set of priorities. As Dr. Mercelina aptly noted, “There is a price tag for everything that you want in life.” For Sint Maarten, the path to a sustainable and prosperous future will require not only financial ingenuity but also a shared commitment to overcoming the island’s unique challenges.

PHILIPSBURG:--- Member of Parliament (MP) Ardwell Irion launched a forceful critique of the government's handling of the nomination process for the chairmanship of the Central Bank of Curaçao and Sint Maarten (CBCS), asserting that the procedure to nominate attorney Jairo Bloem violates the law. Appearing on The Breakfast Lounge radio program, Irion stated his objections are not personal but are rooted in a pattern of procedural and legal missteps by the current administration.

"This is not politics; it's us doing our job as the opposition," Irion declared, framing his stance as a matter of parliamentary oversight. He clarified that his issue is not with Mr. Bloem as a candidate but with the government's method of selection. "My issue is with the process that the government took to get to this point," he said.

Earlier in the week, Attorney Jairo Bloem appeared on the same radio program and discussed what he described as internal government documents relating to the nomination process. Bloem claimed to have seen confidential communications and memos involving ministers and officials, suggesting his candidacy was handled according to established protocols. He referenced these documents in defending his nomination, arguing that the process mirrored previous appointments and was justified by precedent.

Irion was quick to challenge Bloem's statements regarding these internal documents. He questioned how Bloem obtained access to such materials and raised serious concerns about the propriety and legality of publicly discussing them. "He's speaking on this radio about documents—internal documents—from private ministers and so forth. Those are not public documents, so my question is, then where did these documents come from? Why are you then speaking on internal documents if they even exist?" Irion argued that using non-public documents to justify the nomination process only further undermined its transparency and fairness, casting additional doubt on the legitimacy of the appointment.

Irion alleges that the current Minister of Finance initiated an internal recruitment process to find a chairman, a move he claims has no legal basis under the Central Bank's statutes. He explained, "The law is very clear. The law states the board nominates the chairmanship." He contrasted this with his own tenure as Finance Minister, during which a nomination for chairman was put forward by the board. Still, he resulted in a stalemate with Curaçao, leading to the rejection of the nominee. He was adamant that he never unilaterally started a search for a candidate.

"I never, as minister of finance, started an internal recruitment looking for a chairman. That never happened," Irion stated, directly refuting claims that he had acted similarly. "To say the former minister of finance did the same is just trying to muddy the waters."

The MP raised several procedural questions posed in Parliament that he says the Minister of Finance did not answer, including which entity conducted the candidate search and who the other eight candidates were. He also noted the government’s internal Legal Affairs department was not consulted on the process. "We also asked the external lawyers, who is Richard Gibson, that the government pays every year, to provide advice. No, but yet still after the fact, we now want to seek advice," he pointed out.

Irion expressed confidence that the nomination will ultimately fail due to the flawed process. "I believe the candidacy of Mr. Bloem will be a moot point because the process is not followed," he predicted, noting that approval is still needed from Curaçao, the CBCS board, and the Governor.

During the interview, Irion also responded to criticism that the chairmanship remained vacant for four years under his leadership. He explained that the court had appointed temporary board members and that the board was in the process of submitting a new candidate when the government changed. "So then if anything, then the board did not find a person that we both can agree on," he argued, emphasizing the joint nature of the decision with Curaçao.

The discussion also touched on what Irion described as a "savior complex," recalling a personal meeting where Bloem allegedly positioned himself as essential to the bank's stability. "The first time I ever met Mr. Bloem was in my office when he came to me... and basically if I want to ensure the central bank is safe and sound, I need to put him as chairman."

Irion warned that the public dispute risks damaging the financial institution's reputation. He stressed that international financial actors are closely monitoring the situation, which could put the island in a negative light. "You don't want to continue putting the island in a bad light when it comes to this disregard," he said. He challenged the government to seek an unbiased opinion from its own legal department or the CBCS, offering to publicly retract his statements if they can prove the process was legal.

PHILIPSBURG:--- On Wednesday, during the weekly press briefing, Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina emphasized the critical progress made during his mission to the World Bank headquarters in Washington, D.C., regarding the implementation of trust fund projects in St. Maarten. The mission, which included key representatives such as the Minister of VROMI, Mr. Patrice Gumbs, and the Minister of Education, Culture, Youth, and Sport, Ms. Melissa Gumbs, focused on addressing delays and ensuring tangible results for the island's development.

One of the key outcomes of the discussions was the agreement to simplify procurement processes, a move aimed at enabling local contractors to participate in the bidding for major projects. Historically, the stringent procurement criteria set by the World Bank have excluded many local and regional contractors from competing, as the requirements were deemed too complex and tailored to larger, international firms.

Prime Minister Dr. Mercelina highlighted that this issue was explicitly addressed during the meetings. "The World Bank realized that their procurement demands were too high, making it nearly impossible for local contractors to participate. They admitted that working in the Caribbean is different from working in Western countries, and they are now committed to adapting their processes to our reality," he stated.

The revised approach will not only simplify the procurement criteria but also include a campaign to encourage participation from contractors in St. Maarten, as well as neighboring islands like Curaçao and Aruba. The Netherlands, as a key stakeholder in the trust fund, has also pledged its support to ensure the successful realization of these projects.

The trust fund, which has a deadline of 2028, is allocated to critical infrastructure projects, including the construction of an Emergency Operations Center (EOC), the repair of 13 school gyms and 12 sports complexes, and the reconstruction of key educational facilities like the Charles Leopold Bell School and Sister Marie Laurence School. Additional funding has also been secured for waste management projects, including a $5 million increase for wastewater infrastructure and $20 million for the closure of the landfill by 2032.

While the focus remains on prioritizing local contractors, the Prime Minister acknowledged the need for flexibility. "If we cannot find local contractors to meet the requirements, we must look beyond St. Maarten to ensure these projects are completed. The ultimate goal is to deliver these much-needed facilities for the people of St. Maarten," he explained.

The Prime Minister also stressed the urgency of utilizing the €550 million trust fund granted by the Netherlands before the 2028 deadline. He is actively engaging with the World Bank and the Netherlands to ensure that unspent funds remain available for St. Martin beyond the deadline, if necessary.

This shift in procurement strategy marks a significant step toward empowering local businesses and fostering economic growth within the region. By involving local contractors, the government aims to not only expedite the completion of these vital projects but also create job opportunities and strengthen the local economy.

As the clock ticks toward 2028, the government of St. Martin remains committed to ensuring that every dollar of the trust fund is used effectively to build a resilient and thriving future for the island.