A Broken System Exposed: The Corruption and Chaos of St. Maarten’s Public Transportation Licensing.

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Minister of TEATT Grisha Heyliger Marten.

PHILIPSBURG:--- In a damning revelation that has sent shockwaves through St. Maarten, the SOAB (St. Maarten Audit Bureau) and the Integrity Chamber have laid bare the rot at the heart of the Ministry of TEATT’s public transportation licensing process. The findings, which detail gross negligence, political manipulation, and systemic corruption, paint a grim picture of a government department that has failed its people and tarnished the island’s reputation.

The reports, finalized in early 2025, expose a litany of failures under the leadership of former Minister Arthur Lambriex. Licenses were issued in blatant violation of laws, procedures, and basic ethical standards. The SOAB audit of taxi licenses and the Integrity Chamber’s investigation into bus and taxi licenses reveal a system riddled with incompetence and corruption.

The SOAB audit reviewed 79 applications out of 136 licenses issued between January 2023 and February 2024. The results? A staggering 11 key findings, including:

  • Incomplete Applications: Two-thirds of applicants failed to submit required documents, yet licenses were issued.
  • No Proof of Payment: None of the 79 applicants paid their processing fees, raising serious concerns about their financial accountability.
  • Unsubstantiated Ministerial Decisions: Licenses were granted without justification, advice, or proper documentation.
  • Critical Safety Risks: Applicants over 60 years old were not required to submit medical fitness certificates, endangering public safety.

The Integrity Chamber’s investigation went even further, uncovering:

  • Violation of the 2014 Moratorium: Licenses were issued while the moratorium was still in effect, and before the 2023 policy was officially published.
  • Political Manipulation: Licenses were granted just months before the January 2024 elections, raising suspicions of vote-buying.
  • Bypassing Procedures: A single advisor, acting as both department head and gatekeeper, controlled the entire process, eliminating checks and balances.

The reports reveal a Ministry that operated with reckless abandon, ignoring laws and procedures while prioritizing political gain over public interest. The absence of a Public Transportation Committee since 2009 left a gaping hole in oversight, allowing unchecked ministerial discretion to flourish. Licenses were issued without proper vetting, tracking, or verification, and expired or unused licenses were never revoked.

The findings are not just an indictment of the Ministry of TEATT but a reflection of a broader culture of impunity and mismanagement. The lack of transparency, accountability, and basic governance has eroded public trust and damaged St. Maarten’s reputation on the global stage.

The Cost of Corruption

The financial and reputational costs of this debacle are staggering. Critical risks identified in the SOAB report threaten government credibility, public trust, and national reputation. The financial impact of these failures is estimated to exceed 100,000 guilders annually, with major risks adding further strain to the public purse.

But the true cost is borne by the people of St. Maarten. Public safety has been compromised, with unfit drivers and unverified applicants endangering lives. The integrity of the licensing process has been compromised, leaving legitimate operators to compete with those who have exploited the system.

Radical Reforms or Empty Promises?

Minister Grisha Heyliger-Marten, who inherited this mess, has vowed to clean up the system.

  • Revocation of Non-Compliant Licenses: Licenses that fail to meet regulatory requirements will be revoked, although exemptions may be granted to senior operators.
  • Stakeholder Engagement: The Ministry will consult with taxi and bus associations to finalize reforms.
  • Digitization: A centralized digital licensing system will replace the current chaotic process.
  • Mandatory Training: License holders will undergo training in public safety, customer service, and regulatory responsibilities.

While these measures are a step in the right direction, they are long overdue. The Ministry’s failure to act sooner has allowed corruption to fester, and the public deserves more than empty promises. The time for half-measures is over. What St. Maarten needs is a radical overhaul of its public transportation system, with accountability at its core.

The people of St. Maarten must demand more from their leaders. The revelations in these reports are not just a scandal, they are a betrayal of public trust. The Ministry of TEATT must be held accountable for its failures, and those responsible for this debacle must face consequences.

The road to reform will not be easy, but it is necessary. St. Maarten deserves a public transportation system that is transparent, fair, and accountable. Anything less is an insult to the people who rely on it every day.

The time for excuses is over. The time for action is now.

 

Click here for the reports, SOAB, and Integrity Chamber. 


Suspect Arrested in Early Morning Domestic Violence Incident.

domesticviolence23072025PHILIPSBURG:--- In the early morning hours of Tuesday, July 23, 2025, at approximately 01:30 AM, the Police Central Dispatch received an urgent call regarding a woman who ran into a casino on Union Road, bleeding and in distress. The victim stated that she had been severely ill-treated by her partner, identified as L.P.

Paramedics arrived shortly after the call and administered first aid to the victim, who had sustained a deep laceration to her face and was bleeding profusely. She was later transported to the Sint Maarten Medical Center (SMMC) for further treatment.

Following the incident, police patrols were informed that the suspect may be residing at an address in Belvedere. Upon arrival at the location, officers observed a vehicle belonging to the suspect. However, as they approached, the suspect fled the scene.

Later that morning, patrol units again spotted the suspect near the former Eddie’s Auto Supply roundabout at the intersection of A. Th. Illidge Road and Zagers-gut Road. The suspect attempted to flee once more but was quickly apprehended and arrested. He was transported to the Philipsburg Police Station, where he is currently being held for further questioning.

KPSM condemns all acts of domestic violence. These forms of relationship-based abuse have no place in our community. We urge anyone experiencing domestic abuse or violence to seek help.

There are support services available on the island, including local domestic violence hotlines. In any emergency situation, please do not hesitate to call 911 and ask for help.

Purpose: Shelter and support for women and children affected by domestic violence.

Hotline (24/7): 📞 +1 (721) 523-6400

Office Number: 📞 +1 (721) 544-0400

Email: info@safehavensxm.sx

 

KPSM Press Release.

Ministry of TEATT Unveils Damning Findings on License Issuance Scandal Under Former Minister Arthur Lambriex.

PHILIPSBURG:---  During the government press briefing today, the current Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Traffic, and Telecommunication (TEATT), Grisha Heyliger-Marten, revealed the shocking results of an integrity investigation into the issuance of bus and taxi licenses under the tenure of former Minister Arthur Lambriex. The investigation, conducted by the Integrity Chamber, uncovered systemic failures, gross misuse of authority, and glaring disregard for legislative frameworks and integrity protocols.

The findings paint a deeply concerning picture of mishandling, with irregularities tainting nearly every aspect of the licensing process in 2023. Minister Heyliger-Marten described the report as "a harsh indictment of the past administration's actions" and vowed to take comprehensive measures to restore public trust in the Ministry.

Findings of the Investigation

The investigation reveals extensive violations committed under the oversight of former Minister Lambriex. These include, but are not limited to, the following serious breaches:

  • Failure to Adhere to Legislative Frameworks:

Licenses were issued outside the boundaries of the 2014 moratorium, a critical policy designed to regulate the issuance of public transportation licenses. Despite the moratorium's still-active status, licenses were granted prematurely, undermining compliance with established regulations.

  • Misuse of Authority and Political Motivations:

The findings reveal that members of Minister Lambriex's cabinet directly intervened in the process, bypassing standard procedures and issuing licenses in ways that raise concerns of favoritism and political manipulation. Documents show that some applications were processed before any public notice permitting such submissions was even issued. Furthermore, improper delegation reportedly enabled questionable practices, such as instructing staff to accept applications outside approved windows.

  • Lack of Administrative Oversight and Checks:

The investigation highlights a complete absence of checks and balances within the administrative process. A single senior license advisor, who also served as acting department head, was responsible for every step of the process, including assessing applications, issuing licenses, and overseeing approvals. This created an environment ripe for errors and potential misconduct.

  • Integrity Risks and Procedural Failures:

Applications were routinely processed without meeting the required documentation standards, including missing tax declarations and approval justifications. Some licenses were issued without proper advice, while others lacked essential details such as license numbers and issuance dates.

  • Erosion of Public Trust Through Questionable Timing:

The decision to revise the moratorium policy and issue new licenses came suspiciously close to the January 2024 elections. This timing, along with the lack of substantiating data for lifting license caps, has fueled public speculation about vote-buying and political gain at the expense of government transparency.

"This report sheds light on a disturbing erosion of integrity, fairness, and accountability within the Ministry during former Minister Lambriex’s tenure," stated Minister Heyliger-Marten during today’s briefing. "Instead of upholding their duty to serve the public ethically and transparently, those entrusted with authority chose to manipulate processes for purposes which, at the very least, damage government credibility."

Minister Heyliger-Marten emphasized that the Ministry cannot and will not tolerate practices that compromise governance and erode public confidence. "My administration is unyielding in its commitment to restoring integrity across all levels of government," she declared. Key steps outlined include an immediate overhaul of the procedures for issuing public transportation licenses, stricter adherence to legislative frameworks, and mandatory training workshops on accountability and ethics for all staff.

Minister Heyliger-Marten also announced plans to implement robust checks and balances, establish clearer procedural guidelines, and limit the discretionary powers that played a significant role in enabling Minister Lambriex’s administration to operate without proper accountability.

The Ministry has pledged to deliver periodic updates as it implements these reforms, ensuring that transparency and accountability remain at the forefront. "We owe it to the people of Sint Maarten to return this Ministry to one that operates with integrity, responsibility, and fairness," Minister Heyliger-Marten concluded.

The presentation of these findings marks the first step toward rectifying past failures and ensuring that they will not be repeated. Minister Heyliger-Marten has assured the public that the principles of transparency, fairness, and legal compliance will guide future decisions.

 

Click here to view the Report Issued by the Integrity Chamber on the issuance of the buses and Taxi Licenses in 2023.

Critical Analysis of TEATT Report: A Scathing Look at Leadership Failures.

PHILIPSBURG: The recent internal audit report on compliance with taxi license legislation has cast a glaring spotlight on the Ministry of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport, and Telecommunications (TEATT) under the leadership of former Minister of TEATT Arthur Lambriex.

The current Minister of TEATT, Grisha Heyliger Marten, presented the findings of these reports on Wednesday morning at the Council of Ministers briefing.

The findings reveal a disturbing pattern of mismanagement, procedural chaos, and the systematic bypassing of established norms—all of which have eroded public trust, undermined government efficiency, and compromised the integrity of the licensing process.

Minister Heyliger-Marten's role in this damning report cannot be overstated. The report highlights severe lapses in communication, both within the Ministry and across its leadership structure. Key decisions—including public announcements about license-related changes—were made unilaterally by the former Minister, sidelining core management figures such as the Secretary-General (SG) and the Head of the Department of Economic Licenses (DEL). Shockingly, these critical announcements were made while pivotal officials were off island, leaving them entirely uninformed.

This blatant disregard for proper consultation and collaboration not only violated basic principles of governance but also sent a clear message of disregard for protocol. The absence of internal coordination led to chaos, as procedures were communicated to stakeholders without proper vetting or input from the responsible departments. Such actions indicate a leadership style that prioritizes expediency and unilateral decision-making over transparency and accountability.

One of the most egregious issues raised in the report is the bypassing of established norms and processes in the issuance of taxi licenses. Licenses were drafted without review or advice from the relevant departments, with approvals granted directly by the then Minister. By sidelining the Department Head and SG, who are integral to ensuring compliance and consistency, former Minister Lambriex effectively dismantled the checks and balances that are crucial for integrity in governance.

The lack of proper processing procedures for Public Transportation (PT) licenses, exacerbated by years of neglect following a 2014 moratorium, further aggravates the problem. Instead of addressing these systemic deficiencies, the Ministry allowed the disorder to persist, further jeopardizing the legitimacy of the licensing system. The consequences of this neglect are severe, fostering inefficiency, creating confusion, and wasting government resources.

The implications of this report go far beyond administrative shortcomings. By circumventing policies and procedures, the former has not only compromised the integrity of the licensing process but also weakened public confidence in the government's ability to manage critical sectors responsibly. The capricious approach to announcing and implementing policy changes, without prior consultation or proper preparation, fosters uncertainty among stakeholders and damages the Ministry's reputation.

Furthermore, the report shines light on the misuse of discretionary authority, raising concerns about possible abuse of power. The recommendation to transfer sensitive matters to another Ministry for impartial oversight illustrates the depth of the mistrust created by these actions. Such measures, although potentially effective, also highlight a troubling reality: leadership failures have reached a point where fundamental structural changes are being proposed to curb ministerial overreach.

 The former Minister as head of TEATT has raised serious questions about the leadership and functionality of the Ministry. The internal audit’s findings underscore the urgent need for accountability and reform. While steps to centralize a digital registry for PT licenses have been initiated, they are insufficient without addressing the root causes of the issues highlighted in the report.

The Ministry must take decisive action to rebuild trust, including implementing robust policies to limit discretionary power and ensure adherence to established procedures. The proposed measures to protect civil servants from unwarranted ministerial influence are a step in the right direction. Still, they must be backed by a cultural shift within the Ministry that prioritizes transparency, accountability, and professionalism.

The findings of the TEATT internal audit report are a harsh indictment of the former Minister’s leadership. The lack of communication, disregard for proper procedures, and the circumvention of established norms are not mere administrative oversights—they represent a failure of governance that has far-reaching consequences. For the Ministry, and indeed for the country, the time for excuses is over. What is required now is bold and transparent leadership to rectify these glaring deficiencies and restore faith in the system. Anything less would be a disservice to the public and a betrayal of the principles of good governance.

 

Click here to view the Report by SOAB on the issuance of the Taxis and Buses Licenses in 2023.

 

 

Minister Tackling Swears in Three Customs Officers.

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From left to right: Henk Lake (Customs Management Team member), Customs Officers Cornet and Richardson, Minister of Justice Nathalie Tackling, Officer Wilson, and Rogerrel Mauricia (Customs Management Team member).

PHILIPSBURG:--- Today, Minister Tackling officially swore in Customs Officers Richardson, Wilson, and Cornet, marking an important milestone in their journey of service. Congratulations to these dedicated officers as they continue to serve with integrity and commitment. 

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