PHILIPSBURG:--- Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina says the government is pushing ahead with efforts to modernize the country’s budgeting process while simultaneously dealing with delays surrounding the 2026 national budget.
Speaking during Wednesday’s Council of Ministers press briefing, Mercelina acknowledged that the 2026 budget remains behind schedule and is currently under review by the Council of Advice.
“We are already behind in our time planning for the budget of 2026,” Mercelina stated. “The 2026 national budget is still pending at this particular moment. It’s by the Council of Advice.”
The Prime Minister explained that government submitted the 2026 budget late and is now awaiting feedback from the advisory body before moving forward with the next phase of the process.
“We are waiting on their feedback. And after that, we will have to make another report, as we say. And then it will be submitted to Parliament,” he said.
Despite the delay, Mercelina emphasized that government has already begun preparing the 2027 budget using what he described as “a totally different approach” aimed at improving financial planning and ensuring future budgets are approved by Parliament before September.
Under the leadership of the Ministry of Finance and with support from the Temporary Work Organization (TWO), the government has already established financial ceilings for each ministry and identified three policy priorities per ministry as part of a policy-based budgeting model.
“All ministries will be required to submit their draft budgets and explanatory notes,” Mercelina explained, adding that the Ministry of General Affairs has already completed its submission for the 2027 process.
The Prime Minister outlined several major priorities that will shape government spending in both 2026 and 2027, including strengthening public administration, improving shared government services such as Personnel and Organization (P&O), legal affairs, and facility management.
Mercelina also highlighted the importance of regional cooperation and stronger cross-border collaboration with French Saint-Martin and the Kingdom.
Another key area of investment involves disaster preparedness and emergency response capabilities.
“Advancing long overdue investments in disaster management and crisis response, including essential equipment for the Fire Department and strengthening of the Office for Disaster Management,” remains one of government’s priorities, Mercelina said.
The Prime Minister additionally addressed ongoing staffing shortages within government, describing the recruitment of qualified professionals as one of St. Maarten’s largest institutional challenges.
“One of the biggest challenges we still have is the equipment of our government with enough professionals,” he stated.
Government, he said, is working closely with TWO to recruit professionals to strengthen public services across the country.
During the question-and-answer segment, Mercelina also addressed the country’s broader financial challenges, noting that St. Maarten continues to face structural limitations due to its small population and economic realities.
“There is no financial formula that 15,000 people can pay for 60,000,” the Prime Minister said while discussing healthcare financing and public service demands.
Mercelina stressed that solving the country’s long-term financial issues will require broader contributions from the population as the government attempts to balance national priorities with limited resources.

~Gumbs Defends Government Position as Derek Fleming Fires Back Over Delayed Payments and Missing Contract~

PHILIPSBURG: --- The worsening garbage crisis on St. Maarten escalated Wednesday into a public war of words between Minister of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure (VROMI) Patrice Gumbs Jr. and Fleming Waste Solutions owner Derek Fleming, after government openly addressed long-standing payment and contractual disputes involving waste collection services.

During the Council of Ministers press briefing, Gumbs acknowledged that Fleming Waste Solutions has been performing certain services for the government without a formal contract since 2021, a situation he said now complicates the payment process.

“Fleming Waste Solutions does not have a contract with the government for the services that are unpaid,” Gumbs stated. “Fleming has been carrying out these services without a contract since 2021.”

The minister explained that under government financial procedures, payments cannot legally be processed without proper documentation and approvals.

“Government is not allowed to pay without advice or a contract,” Gumbs said, adding that the full implementation of the AIMS financial system now requires all payments to follow strict digital procedures.

According to the minister, contracted services performed by Fleming continue to be paid, while delays affect only non-contracted work.

“This paints a very clear, objective picture that delayed payments have nothing to do with the unwillingness to pay, but the manner in which Mr. Fleming’s services were entered into in the first place in 2021,” Gumbs stated.

Derek Fleming Pushes Back

Shortly after the briefing, Derek Fleming publicly challenged the minister’s explanation, arguing that the government has had years to regularize the arrangement and accusing officials of failing to process the required paperwork.

“How long have you been servicing the dump without a contract?” SMN News asked. “More than five years Fleming responded.”

Fleming said previous administrations managed the situation through formal government advice procedures that allowed payments to continue despite the absence of a finalized contract.

“If you don’t have a contract, it is used as something called advice,” Fleming explained. “You get it signed up and all of this so payment could be done.”

The waste contractor argued that the government cannot continue requesting essential services while blaming payment delays solely on contractual issues.

“If you know in fact that you’re utilizing a service, shouldn’t you then do the paperwork to continue the service?” Fleming questioned. “Don’t hide behind the fact of not having a contract. Say the truth — you’re not doing the paperwork for the company to be paid on time.”

Fleming also criticized the pace of negotiations, noting that discussions about formalizing a contract have allegedly been ongoing since last year after the landfill closure.

“From since last year when Mr. Fleming closed the landfill, why is it taking so long for you to just make one simple contract?” he asked.

While acknowledging that contract discussions have taken place, Fleming insisted that conversations alone are meaningless without action.

“Discussing something doesn’t mean you’re working on it,” he said. “Bringing it to fruition — is it done?”

Illegal Dumping Worsening Crisis

The exchange comes as the government faces mounting public frustration over garbage accumulation across the island.

Gumbs described widespread illegal dumping practices that he says are overwhelming residential waste systems and driving up collection costs.

“I have seen carnival costumes thrown in boxes on the ring road. I have seen businesses wheel old fridges and dump them into metal bins. Most alarmingly, I have seen brand new dump sites appear on the roadside,” the minister said during Wednesday’s briefing.

The VROMI minister announced that commercial entities will soon be required to submit formal waste disposal plans and potentially secure contracts with recognized private haulers.

“Commercial waste continues to be illegally dumped in residential bins and disposal sites, rapidly filling bins, making neighborhoods dirty, and disproportionately raising collection costs,” Gumbs warned.

The government is expected to roll out stricter enforcement measures in the coming weeks under Article 21 of the Waste Ordinance.

Waste Sector “Needs 35 million Guilders.”

Gumbs also revealed the scale of the country’s financial challenge, stating that St. Maarten requires at least 35 million guilders annually to properly manage the waste sector, while the government currently spends only 12 million guilders.

“A well-functioning, clean, and healthy society costs money,” he stated.

The minister linked future reforms to the Trust Fund’s Emergency Debris Management Project (EDMP), which aims to close the landfill and transition the country toward a more sustainable waste management system.

Prime Minister Calls for “Mindset Change”

Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina also weighed in on the garbage crisis during the same briefing, arguing that the island’s financial realities make it impossible for the government alone to solve national problems without greater public contribution and responsibility.

“We see the challenges that we have with garbage collection now,” Mercelina said. “What is this community paying for garbage collection?”

The Prime Minister criticized the culture of indiscriminate dumping while residents simultaneously complained about conditions.

“Everybody is throwing everything on the streets and roads of St. Maarten,” he stated. “And the only thing we do is complain about our garbage.”

Mercelina warned that significant financial contributions from the public may eventually become unavoidable if the country hopes to maintain a functional waste collection system.

“I can assure you the day that this government comes with a proposal for significant financial contribution for garbage collection in this country, you’re going to see a different other attitude and stance towards this problem,” the Prime Minister said.

He concluded by calling for what he described as a national “mindset change” to address the country’s structural challenges.

“I think we will have to do a mindset change if we want to solve the problems and the budget challenges of this country,” Mercelina declared.

The escalating public disagreement between government and one of the island’s primary waste contractors now places even greater attention on how St. Martin plans to stabilize its struggling garbage collection system in the months ahead.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Foundation Building Bridges Saving Lives (SBBSL) successfully carried out a health and volunteer outreach initiative on the evening of May 3, 2026, along the “Bacchanal Strip” during the Carnival festivities.
This collaborative effort brought together key partners committed to community engagement and public awareness, including representatives from SXM DOET, Gesner-Orlando Simon, Director of SBBSL; Ramona Riley of Prominent Women Foundation; and Lee Williams of LGA Visionary Consulting Agency.
The outreach combined public health awareness with community volunteer promotion, engaging members of the public in meaningful and practical ways.
At the core of the outreach was a strong focus on public health awareness, with partners engaging the public on sexual and reproductive health (SRH), sexually transmitted diseases and infections (STDs/STIs), gender-based violence (GBV), and human rights. Team members distributed SRH packages and educational materials to promote safe and informed decision-making.
In addition, SXM DOET supported the initiative by promoting SXM DOET 2026, taking place on May 15 and 16. Representatives distributed informational flyers, placed promotional materials at booths along the strip, and shared SXM DOET-branded items such as lanyards and other items, encouraging individuals to sign up as volunteers and take part in upcoming community projects.
As Carnival continues and approaches its end, SBBSL emphasizes the importance of maintaining safe practices beyond the festivities. The message remains clear: protection, awareness, and responsible behavior are essential not only during Carnival, but also in the period that follows.
SBBSL extends sincere thanks to all partners, including SXM DOET, for their contributions to this initiative and remains committed to strengthening community outreach while promoting health, safety, and dignity across Sint Maarten.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The company responsible for managing the Philipsburg landfill says it is on the verge of shutting down operations due to months of unpaid invoices by the government, raising serious concerns about the future of waste management on St. Maarten.
Owner of Fleming Waste Solutions (FWS), Derek Fleming, told SMN News that his company has not received payment from the Government since December 2025 and blamed Minister of VROMI Patrice Gumbs Jr. for what he described as a failure to facilitate timely payments.
Fleming warned that the situation has become unbearable and that he is prepared to halt landfill operations altogether, despite possible legal consequences.
“Right now, I am on the skin of my teeth because I am barely making it to pay the staff of FWS,” Fleming said. “Can you imagine I spent endless time training these workers and having them take full control of the landfill operations, but at the end of the month I can hardly pay them their salaries?”
The businessman said his employees are suffering as a result of the delays.
“These men have families that have to eat, they have their bills to pay, and need their money just like the Minister of VROMI. These workers don’t have the luxuries like the Minister does,” he added.
Fleming expressed frustration over what he called the Government’s continued neglect of the country’s infrastructure and local people. In a strongly worded Facebook post, he questioned why citizens must “get out of character to be heard” and accused the Government of repeatedly failing the people of St. Maarten.
He criticized the lack of progress in several key areas, including education, utilities, road infrastructure, drainage systems, and power generation.
“Where are the new schools? Where are the new GEBE generators? Where is the proper infrastructure? Where are the new roads? Where is the new drainage and sewer system?” Fleming questioned.
He further stated that the country continues to suffer from “empty promises,” urging Government officials to become more accountable.
“SXM Government, put your people first instead of putting yourselves. Proper leadership matters,” Fleming wrote.
Fleming also accused the Ministry of VROMI of ignoring professional advice on maintaining landfill machinery, which contributed to repeated breakdowns and operational difficulties at the dump.
According to Fleming, recommendations are consistently made to the Ministry concerning the upkeep and servicing of heavy equipment, but little to no action is taken.
He warned that if the situation remains unresolved, landfill operations could soon grind to a halt, potentially creating a public health and environmental crisis for the country. Several garbage haulers contracted to transport waste to the landfill are also reportedly facing non-payment issues, further worsening the country’s sanitation problems. The lack of payments has allegedly disrupted garbage collection services, resulting in mounting piles of trash in several districts, including Cole Bay, St. Peters, and Philipsburg. Residents in affected areas have expressed growing concerns over the stench, public health risks, and the increasing number of rodents and stray animals feeding on the uncollected garbage.
Up to press time, Minister Patrice Gumbs Jr. had not publicly responded to the allegations made by Fleming Waste Solutions.