PHILIPSBURG:--- Is this another delay tactic by the Minister of VROMI, Mr. Patrice Gumbs?
The General Audit Chamber's findings are factual and authoritative and confirm serious governance and administrative shortcomings within the Ministry of VROMI. These findings are directly relevant to a resident whose building permit application, submitted in 2023, remains undecided nearly three years later.
A resident’s building permit application has remained unresolved since 2023, despite compliance with procedural requirements. Such a delay is excessive and inconsistent with principles of good administration.

The property is located on Union Road, Cole Bay, adjacent to an apartment building reportedly owned by the father of the Minister of VROMI, Mr. Patrice Gumbs, raising legitimate concerns regarding impartiality and equal treatment.
During the 2024 Parliamentary Budget Debate, Minister Patrice Gumbs was questioned about this specific building permit and stated that it was “being reviewed.” More than one year later, no decision has been issued, calling into question administrative accountability and respect for parliamentary oversight.
The General Audit Chamber has identified systemic weaknesses within the Ministry of VROMI, including prolonged delays, weak internal controls, and governance failures that create conditions for improper influence or the appearance thereof.

Administrative responsibility for coordinating and finalizing building permit approvals rests with the Secretary General of VROMI, Mr. Kenson Plaisimond, who currently serves under a fixed three-year contract. The continued absence of a decision in this case raises serious concerns regarding administrative independence and the impartial execution of statutory duties, particularly in a politically sensitive matter.

Prolonged inaction in such cases undermines equal treatment under the law, erodes public confidence, and may constitute maladministration.
Residents who believe they are experiencing unreasonable delays, unequal treatment, or administrative irregularities are encouraged to submit formal complaints to the Bureau of the Ombudsman, which is mandated to investigate allegations of maladministration independently.
This case underscores the urgent need for transparency, accountability, and the equal application of the law, ensuring that no resident is disadvantaged due to political proximity or influence.

PHILIPSBURG (DCOMM):--- The Inspectorate of Economic and Transport Affairs (IETA) has reported a substantial rise in public transport enforcement from June to December 2025, resulting in more than ANG 30,200 in fines across the transportation sector.

The increase in enforcement activity coincides with strengthened operational capacity within the Inspectorate, leading to more frequent roadside controls, improved coverage, and enhanced monitoring of public transport operators.

September and November recorded the highest enforcement totals, each exceeding ANG 7,900.

During this period, inspectors identified several recurring violations, including:

Operating passenger transport without the required permit;

Failure to comply with vehicle inspection (Keuring) requirements;

Service standard violations under the National Decree Passenger Transport, such as unsafe vehicle conditions, improper passenger handling, and failure to meet minimum operational obligations;

Unlawful fare practices;

Private vehicles engaging in commercial passenger transport;

Buses and taxis accounted for most of the violations, with several cases involving private vehicles operating illegally as public transport.

Head of the Inspectorate, Lucien Wilson, stated that the enforcement results reflect IETA’s commitment to improving safety, professionalism, and fairness within the public transportation system.

“These outcomes demonstrate the importance of consistent, visible enforcement. Our focus remains on passenger safety and ensuring that compliant operators are protected from unsafe and unfair practices.”

IETA - Section Transport will continue routine and targeted inspections in the coming months, prioritizing safety risks, permit compliance, and service quality standards.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The House of Parliament will sit in a Public meeting on December 15, 2025.

The Public meeting, which was adjourned on November 5, 2025, and will be reconvened on Monday at 11.00 hrs. in the Legislative Hall at Wilhelminastraat #1 in Philipsburg.

The Minister of Finance will return to Parliament to provide answers to clarification questions posed by the Members of Parliament in the second round of deliberations.

The agenda point is:
2. Ontwerplandsverordening houdende regels met betrekking tot een basisbetaalrekening voor consumenten (Landsverordening basisbetaalrekening) (Zittingsjaar 2023-2024-174) (IS/292/2023-2024 d.d. 20 december 2023)

Draft National Ordinance containing rules regarding a basic payment account for consumers (National Ordinance basic payment account) (Parliamentary year 2023-2024-174) (IS/292/2023-2024 dated 20 December 2023)

Members of the public are invited to the House of Parliament to attend parliamentary deliberations. All persons visiting the House of Parliament must adhere to the house rules.

The House of Parliament is located across from the Court House in Philipsburg.

The parliamentary sessions will be carried live on TV 15, Soualiga Headlines, via SXM GOV radio FM 107.9, via Pearl Radio FM 98.1, the audio via the internet www.youtube.com/c/SintMaartenParliament and www.pearlfmradio.sx

PHILIPSBURG:---  The House of Parliament will sit in a Public meeting on December 15, 2025.

The Public meeting is scheduled for Monday at 13.00 hrs. to 15.00 hrs. in the Legislative Hall at Wilhelminastraat #1 in Philipsburg.

The agenda points are:
1. Question hour: Questions from MP F.A. Lacroes directed to the Minister of Finance on the application and extension of tax holiday legislation under the Landsverordening ter bevordering van bedrijfsvestiging en hotelbouw (LBBH) and broader framework of fiscal incentives. (IS/362/2025-2026 dated November 18, 2025)
2. Questions from MP F.A. Lacroes directed to the Minister of General Affairs regarding Sint Maarten's national strategy for fuel diversification, LNG transition, public utilities, and the implementation of community benefits (IS/368/2025-2026 dated November 19, 2025)
3. Questions from MP E.J. Doran directed to the Minister of TEATT regarding the reconstruction of the Philipsburg Marketplace and support to displaced vendors (IS/395/2025-2026 dated November 26, 2025)

Members of the public are invited to the House of Parliament to attend parliamentary deliberations. All persons visiting the House of Parliament must adhere to the house rules.

The House of Parliament is located across from the Court House in Philipsburg.

The parliamentary sessions will be carried live on TV 15, Soualiga Headlines, via SXM GOV radio FM 107.9, via Pearl Radio FM 98.1, the audio via the internet www.sxmparliament.org, www.pearlfmradio.sx and www.youtube.com/c/SintMaartenParliament