PHILIPSBURG (DCOMM):---  The condolences book of the late Henri Brookson, former Deputy Minister Plenipotentiary of the Netherlands Antilles and Acting Lieutenant Governor, was solemnly signed by His Excellency the Governor, Ajamu Baly, and members of the Council of Ministers.

The condolences book is now available for signing by all who wish to extend their sympathy and share their condolences with the family of the late Henri Brookson.

The condolence book was opened on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, and will remain available for members of the community every workday in the lobby of the Government Administration Building, at Soualiga Road #1, Pond Island, during the opening hours of 8:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.

The condolences book will remain available for signing until the day of the funeral, which will take place on Thursday, September 4, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at the Royal Funeral Home.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The House of Parliament will sit in a Public meeting on September 3, 2025.  

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

The agenda point is:

Moment of observance in memory of the late former Member of Parliament Mr. Romeo F. Pantophlet

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. 

PHILIPSBURG:--- The House of Parliament will sit in a Public meeting on September 3, 2025.  

The Public meeting, which adjourned on August 21, 2025, will be reconvened on Wednesday at 14.00 hrs. in the Legislative Hall at Wilhelminastraat #1 in Philipsburg. The Prime Minister and Minister of General Affairs will be in attendance.

The agenda point is:

Deliberations on the pressing matters related to GEBE: 

1. Update on the status, timelines, and disbursement of the long-awaited promised relief measures;

1. Update on GEBE Supervisory Board for clarity on the current composition, mandate, and operational status of the Supervisory Board as well as any recent or pending decisions impacting corporate governance; 

1. Update on unrest by middle management to remove the CEO by a specific date, in particular, a detailed briefing on the government’s position, planned interventions, and anticipated implications for the company’s stability. (IS/1317/2024-2025 dated August 13, 2025).

This meeting was requested by MP O.E.C. Ottley, MP F.A. Lacroes, MP L.C.J. Lewis, MP D.T.J. York, MP E.J. Doran, and MP A.M.R. Irion.

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, and the audio via the internet www.youtube.com/c/SintMaartenParliament and www.pearlfmradio.sx

PHILIPSBURG:---  Member of Parliament Francisco Lacroes has continuously received complaints and concerns from civil servants regarding the deteriorating conditions and health risks associated with the mold crisis at the Government Administration Building..

Despite previously announced remediation efforts and maintenance routines, including mold treatments, air conditioning servicing, and periodic deep cleaning, staff complaints about respiratory illness and unsafe conditions are rising. Many civil servants are being forced either to work remotely or to call in sick due to building-related symptoms, highlighting the gravity of the indoor air quality threat.

Recent reports confirm that:

• Ventilation and cooling systems, while serviced quarterly, are not being cleaned frequently enough, given the level of contamination.
• Mold remediation and deep cleaning treatments, scheduled only every three to six months, have proven insufficient to halt recurring growth.
• Monthly investigation reports following decontamination have not yielded the transparency expected by staff or Parliament, and a lack of up-to-date photographic evidence continues to hinder progress in actual remediation.

Member of Parliament Francisco A. Lacroes has repeatedly questioned the government’s approach, calling out the persistent delays in releasing laboratory results, inspection data, and full remediation schedules. He emphasizes the need for immediate change in maintenance and health protection protocols, including:

• Monthly (not quarterly) servicing and deep cleaning of all air conditioning and ventilation systems,
• Full public disclosure of SLS lab test results and photographic documentation of remediation activities,
• Transparent communication with affected workers and the public.

“The repeated incidents of staff falling ill, the lack of direct answers on inspection or remediation schedules, and the failure to meet international best practices all point to a worsening situation,” said MP Lacroes. “It is unacceptable for civil servants and the people they serve to bear the risk of inaction or inadequate protocols. The situation is getting worse, not better.”

As the crisis mounts, Parliament stands with affected civil servants and demands urgent, science-based reforms to building safety routines, more frequent cleaning and testing, and immediate transparency from all relevant authorities.