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Deputy Minister VROMI Melissa Gumbs issues clarifying statement on Permits Department Announcement.

melissagumbs08012025PHILIPSBURG:--- Acting Minister of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Infrastructure and Environment Melissa D. Gumbs issued a clarifying statement on Friday night regarding an announcement of closure by the Department of Permits for the period of July 28 to August 22, 2025.

“Firstly, I would like to apologize to the media and the general public, as I believe the statement that was issued did indeed lack some clarity about the Department of Permit’s plans for that time,” Gumbs stated in her release. “I understand that the message may have been confusing, and as Acting Minister of VROMI, I take responsibility for that confusion.”

Gumbs further clarified that the Department’s planning does not involve a “stop” order for the intake of new permit applications. Rather, the Department of Permits will accept new applications via scheduled intakes as usual. However, from July 28 to August 22, 2025, the available intake days will be limited to Tuesdays and Thursdays. This allows the department the opportunity to, as much as possible, focus its resources on finalizing a portion of the considerable backlog within this particular block of time.

“The Minister of VROMI, Patrice Gumbs, has stated publicly to the media and to Parliament that the backlogs facing VROMI departments are considerable,” the Acting Minister continued. “There have been times in the past where scheduling has been put on a tighter leash to allow for better human resource allocation internally, to mitigate the burnout risk for civil servants.”

Gumbs noted the chronic understaffing issues facing most ministries in the Government, but that are particularly prevalent within VROMI. She commented that, unfortunately, the issue is a systemic problem and admits that solving it is nothing that can be done overnight.

“Again, as Acting Minister, I apologize for the confusion caused by today’s earlier messaging,” Gumbs concluded. “And I look forward to the public’s cooperation as the Department of Permits focuses on chipping away at the backlog while continuing to receive new building permits for the coming month.”


Clarification on Guardian Group Fatum.

WILLEMSTAD/PHILIPSBURG — The Centrale Bank van Curaçao en Sint Maarten (CBCS) has taken note of recent reports in various media regarding the financial position of the owner of Guardian Group Fatum. Since the locally operating insurers Fatum General Insurance N.V., Fatum Health N.V., and Fatum Life N.V. (operating under the name Guardian Group Fatum) are part of this group, the CBCS wishes to provide the following clarification. The three insurers are subject to separate supervision by the CBCS and currently meet the applicable prudential supervisory requirements. As fully independent local legal entities, the firms have distinct operations and segregated financial resources. As such, the financial position of the shareholders of the Guardian Group has no direct impact on the financial soundness or daily operations of Guardian Group Fatum. The CBCS continues to monitor developments closely and will respond appropriately should circumstances require it.

Willemstad, July 25, 2025

CENTRALE BANK VAN CURAÇAO EN SINT MAARTEN

Omar Ottley Questions Min VROMI on the Legality and Impacts of Temporary Permit Suspension.

omarottley03042025PHILIPSBURG:---  Member of Parliament Omar Ottley has formally submitted a series of questions to the Minister of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure (VROMI) via parliament in response to the Ministry’s recent announcement that the Permit Department will temporarily stop accepting new permit applications from July 28 to August 22, 2025, to address a growing backlog.

MP Ottley has expressed serious concern over the legality of this decision, which may directly contravene Article 24 of the Constitution of Sint Maarten. “These are fundamental rights,” Ottley stated. “No Minister has the authority to place a blanket restriction on the right of citizens and businesses to submit requests, especially those that are time-sensitive and have legal consequences.” MP Ottley has requested that the Minister clarify whether legal advice was sought before taking this action.

The MP also requested clarity on whether the suspension applies to all permit categories, including building permits, infrastructure permits (civil works), hindrance permits (environment), dredging permits, and excavation permits - “Does the suspension apply across the board? And what is the impact on projects that are currently tied to strict deadlines, such as civil infrastructure improvements and environmental mitigation plans?” Ottley questioned. Has the Marketplace permit been resubmitted by TEATT, and will it be handled during the month break?

He emphasized that the Ministry’s decision could cause costly delays, jeopardizing investment confidence and hindering employment opportunities. “Is the Minister not concerned about the businesses and contractors who depend on permit approvals to begin or continue work?” he added. MP

Ottley urged the Minister to reconsider the approach and find a more balanced, legally sound solution to clearing the permit backlog that does not infringe upon the constitutional rights of the people of Sint Maarten. MP Ottley strongly suggested seeking an alternative, such as extended working hours with compensation or temporary staffing. “The very same apparatus that, during the budget debate, the Minister boasted brought millions to the government coffers, he is now suspending,” said Ottley.

VROMI Permits Department Announces Temporary Pause on New Submissions.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Ministry of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure (VROMI) announces that the Permits Department will temporarily suspend acceptance of new permit applications from July 28, 2025, through August 22, 2025.

This strategic pause is being implemented to allow the department to focus on processing the current backlog of pending applications and to implement improvements that will enhance overall processing efficiency and customer service.

Key Details:

  • Suspension Period: July 28 – August 22, 2025
  • Resumption Date: August 25, 2025
  • Purpose: Process pending applications and improve processing times

During the three-week suspension period, no new permit submissions will be accepted. The department will dedicate its full resources to clearing the existing backlog and implementing system improvements designed to provide faster, more efficient service to applicants.

"This temporary pause will allow our team to catch up on pending applications and put measures in place to improve our processing times going forward," said the Head of the Permits Department. "We appreciate the public's understanding as we work to provide better service to our community."

For more information about VROMI services and updates, please visit the ministry's official website or facebook page.

Mangroves in the Dutch Caribbean: Vital, Vulnerable, and Vanishing.

mangroves25072025BES ISLANDS:--- On World Mangrove Day, the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) is sounding the alarm: mangroves, nature’s coastal protectors, are under serious threat across the region. Found only on Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao and St. Maarten, these salt-tolerant forests are among the most powerful ecosystems in the Dutch Caribbean. They absorb up to 10 times more carbon than tropical rainforests, buffer coastlines from erosion and storms, and provide nursery grounds for countless marine species. Yet across the islands, mangroves are declining fast. But there’s a path forward, if we act now. Alarming Findings: The recently published State of Nature Report for the Caribbean Netherlands, by Wageningen Marine Research and subsidized by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security, and Nature (LVVN), reveals a disturbing trend for mangroves. The report identifies coastal development and erosion, exacerbated by poor water management and sedimentation, as the primary threats to mangroves today. The report finds that, on Bonaire, many mangrove areas exhibit declining ecological conditions, particularly in areas such as Lac Bay and Lagun, where hydrological disruption is severe. Sediment buildup is suffocating root systems, and degraded upstream catchments are funneling more runoff into mangrove zones than ever before. Although this report focused on the mangroves of Bonaire, these threats and environmental patterns are also observed on the other three islands (Aruba, Curaçao, and St. Maarten).

Mangroves are a cornerstone of both climate resilience and biodiversity, providing essential services that benefit people, wildlife, and the economy. From buffering coastlines against storms to supporting fisheries and storing vast amounts of carbon, their role in ecosystem health cannot be overstated. The State of Nature Report makes it clear: without immediate and sustained action, we risk losing these critical habitats, and with them, the natural defenses our islands depend on. Where Do We Go from Here? The Ministry of LVVN plays a crucial role in nature conservation in Bonaire, Saba, and St. Eustatius, as outlined in the Nature and Environmental Policy Plan Caribbean Netherlands (NEPP) 2020–2030. Recent statements, such as DCNA’s call to action, have stressed the need for immediate action. A joint statement published by WWF and island partners (including DCNA, local protected area management organizations, and nature NGOs) estimated that €300 million in additional funding is needed to meet the NEPP’s 2030 milestones. Roughly half of this is required for direct conservation and restoration of nature (such as mangroves, coral reefs, and forests).

In contrast, the other half is needed to upgrade critical environmental infrastructure, such as wastewater treatment systems. It’s a big number, but big problems demand bold investments if we want to see real, lasting change for nature. Delaying action will only make future solutions more expensive and less effective, while ecosystems continue to degrade. 

At the same time, the other Dutch Caribbean islands, Aruba, Curaçao, and Sint Maarten, also face growing threats to their ecosystems and require additional support. There is an urgent need for a coordinated regional approach and more equitable funding across all six islands. DCNA is committed to helping lead this change for all six Dutch Caribbean islands. With support from the Dutch Postcode Lottery and co-funding from WWF-NL and Bloomberg Philanthropies, DCNA is kick-starting the Conservation and Restoration of Key Habitats Program. To help reverse the alarming decline of mangroves and other key habitats, this regional Program will place a strong emphasis on key habitats, such as mangroves, by scaling up on-the-ground restoration, strengthening environmental policy and enforcement, and embedding habitat protection into spatial planning and climate strategies at both national and island levels. If we lose mangroves, we lose one of nature’s most effective shields against climate change and biodiversity loss.

However, with joint action, these ecosystems can recover and continue to protect life above and below the waterline. This BioNews article is part of DCNA’s new series, highlighting key habitats in the Dutch Caribbean, with insights from the State of Nature Report for the Caribbean Netherlands by Wageningen University & Research. Read the State of Nature Report here and subscribe to BioNews to follow the series.


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