Government statement identifies participating MPs and outlines discussions, but announces no agreement or reduction in electricity bills

PHILIPSBURG:---  Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina has defended his meeting with SOL representatives and selected Members of Parliament, describing it as an informational discussion about fuel costs and electricity affordability that would neither replace nor prejudge the ongoing review by the Bureau of Telecommunications and Post (BTP).

According to a statement issued about the engagement, Minister of Finance Marinka Gumbs attended alongside MPs Veronica Jansen-Webster of URSM, Ludmilla de Weever of PFP, Omar Ottley of UPP and Egbert Doran of the National Alliance. Collin Francis and Robert James represented SOL. Support staff also participated.

The statement said other MPs were invited but could not attend because of other obligations. It did not identify those invitees.

Despite discussions about several potential measures,  no agreement or specific reduction in electricity bills was announced.

Prime Minister says Council of Ministers was informed

Responding to suggestions circulating on social media about the meeting, Mercelina said the Council of Ministers had been informed and that it discussed the engagement during its Tuesday meeting.

“The Council of Ministers was informed, and the meeting was discussed at our Tuesday meeting,” Mercelina said.

He described the initiative as a response to questions he faced in Parliament and concerns residents raised about their electricity bills.

According to the Prime Minister, bringing coalition and opposition representatives together gave them an opportunity to question SOL directly and explore ways to ease pressure on households and businesses.

Mercelina also acknowledged MP Ottley’s continued engagement on utility matters and invited him to open the discussion.

SOL Questioned on Fuel Costs and Margins

Participants raised questions about fuel sourcing, transportation, storage, pricing benchmarks, supplier margins and deliveries to GEBE.

According to the statement, Francis and James explained SOL’s supply arrangements and distinguished between gross margin and net profit. They identified personnel, maintenance, inspections, leases and investments as expenses paid from the company’s gross margin.

The discussion also examined how any potential savings in fuel supply charges would translate into lower electricity bills.

That question remains central for consumers: identifying a possible saving at the supplier level does not, by itself, establish how much households and businesses would benefit.

The statement did not provide a quantified estimate of potential savings or a timetable for consumer relief.

Fuel Supply Without a Formal Agreement Discussed

The meeting addressed GEBE’s use of heavy fuel oil and diesel, as well as the importance of reliable demand forecasts.

Participants highlighted seasonal demand, new developments, and changes in generating capacity as factors to consider when planning fuel purchases.

SOL also described what it viewed as supply and logistical risks associated with maintaining deliveries without a formal supply agreement.

According to the statement, the exchange highlighted the need for structured arrangements, accurate forecasting and continued coordination between GEBE and its supplier to maintain fuel supply.

Procurement, Margin Limits and Hedging Raised

Other options discussed included competitive procurement, additional storage capacity, a possible maximum supplier margin and fuel hedging.

Participants recognized that these proposals would require technical and financial assessment.

SOL was also asked to consider contributing to community relief, particularly for vulnerable households and seniors. The statement did not announce a commitment from the company or specify an amount.

The proposals therefore remain matters for consideration rather than confirmed measures that consumers can expect to see reflected in their bills.

BTP Process Must Continue, Mercelina Says

Mercelina emphasized that the meeting respected the relevant ministries' responsibilities and would not interfere with BTP’s ongoing supervisory review. SOL, according to the statement, indicated that it was cooperating with that process.

“This informational meeting does not replace that process or prejudge its findings,” the Prime Minister said.

His explanation sets out the government’s stated purpose for the engagement and identifies those who attended. However, the statement does not provide detailed pricing figures, supporting documents or a concrete outcome on electricity affordability.

For residents facing high utility costs, the next question is what follows the discussion: whether the proposals will be assessed, who will take responsibility for that work, and when any resulting savings could reach consumers.

Mercelina thanked Minister Gumbs, the participating MPs, SOL’s representatives and support staff, saying constructive dialogue must remain focused on the public interest.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The House of Parliament will hold an urgent Public meeting on October 9, 2026.

The Public meeting is scheduled for Friday at 15.30 hrs. in the General Assembly Chamber of the House at Wilhelminastraat #1 in Philipsburg. The Minister of Public Housing, Spatial Planning and Infrastructure (VROMI) will attend.

The agenda point is:

Update on wastewater treatment, waste management and related developments (dated October 6, 2026)

This meeting was requested by MP E.J. Doran, MP A.M.R. Irion, and MP D.T.J. York.

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 DCOMM):--- Saturday, October 10, marks World Mental Health Day 2026, and the Collective Prevention Service (CPS), an executive agency of the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labor (Ministry of VSA), is calling on the Sint Maarten community to recognize the importance of mental health, eliminate stigma and discrimination, and create a supportive environment where individuals experiencing mental health challenges feel comfortable seeking assistance.

World Mental Health Day is observed annually on October 10 to raise awareness about mental health issues worldwide and mobilize efforts to improve access to mental healthcare and support services.

The theme for 2026 is “Lived Experiences Heard: Real Voices, Real Change.”

This year's theme highlights the importance of listening to individuals who have personally experienced mental health conditions and recognizing their experiences as valuable contributions to improving mental health awareness, services, policies and community support.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), people with lived experience of mental health conditions possess important knowledge and perspectives that can help shape more effective, inclusive and responsive mental healthcare systems.

The 2026 observance encourages communities, healthcare professionals, policymakers and organizations to move beyond simply listening to individuals experiencing mental health challenges and ensure that their voices contribute to meaningful improvements in how mental health is understood and addressed.

For Sint Maarten, World Mental Health Day provides an opportunity to encourage greater public awareness about mental health and the importance of creating a society where people feel respected, supported and empowered to seek assistance when needed.

Mental health is an essential component of overall health and well-being. It influences how individuals think, feel, behave, manage stress, maintain relationships, make decisions and participate in everyday activities.

Mental health challenges can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, cultural background, education, employment status or socioeconomic circumstances.

Conditions such as depression, anxiety disorders and other mental health conditions can significantly affect a person's quality of life, relationships, educational performance, employment and physical health.

CPS emphasizes that experiencing mental health difficulties should never be a source of shame or embarrassment. Mental health conditions are health conditions, and individuals experiencing them deserve the same compassion, understanding and access to appropriate healthcare as persons experiencing physical illnesses.

In a small island community such as Sint Maarten, strong family and social connections can play an important role in supporting individuals experiencing mental health challenges.

However, community support should complement, rather than replace, appropriate professional healthcare when it is needed.

CPS encourages the community to recognize that recovery and mental well-being are individual experiences. What works for one person may not necessarily work for another, making understanding, patience and appropriate support especially important.

On World Mental Health Day 2026, CPS calls on residents to take time to check on the emotional well-being of family members, friends, colleagues and neighbors, particularly those who may be experiencing difficult circumstances or social isolation.

Sometimes a simple conversation, a willingness to listen or encouragement to seek professional assistance can make a meaningful difference.

Persons experiencing a mental health crisis, including thoughts of harming themselves, should seek immediate assistance from a healthcare professional or emergency services and should not be left alone when there is an immediate risk to their safety.

For persons who need support, the Sint Maarten Mental Health Organization (MHF) provides psychiatric care services to the population of the country.  Its mission includes prevention to mitigate as much as possible the negative impact of mental disorders on individual’s wellbeing and on society.

For general information on mental health issues, you can call 542-1677 or for a mental health crisis, you can call the crisis line 585-5556 which will be answered by a professional and it’s confidential.

For more information, you can call CPS 542-1570 or 914.

“Lived Experiences Heard: Real Voices, Real Change.”

PHILIPSBURG:--- This morning, Minister of Justice Nathalie Tackling welcomed a delegation from the Council of Europe, marking the start of the delegation’s two-day working visit to Sint Maarten.
The delegation includes Clare Ovey, Director of Human Rights, Directorate General Human Rights and Rule of Law; Clare Brown, Head of Division, Department for the Execution of Judgments of the European Court of Human Rights; Babette Koopman, Agent to the European Court of Human Rights for the Government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands; and Fay Keeris, Legal Advisor at the Permanent Representation of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the Council of Europe.
The visit forms part of a wider mission to Aruba, Curaçao and Sint Maarten and provides an opportunity to engage directly on matters related to the execution of judgments of the European Court of Human Rights, including the Corallo and Murray cases, while also exploring opportunities for strengthened cooperation between Sint Maarten and the Council of Europe.
During this morning’s meeting, Minister Tackling and the delegation discussed Sint Maarten’s ongoing work and priorities, the importance of continued engagement on human rights and the rule of law, and opportunities to build on the expertise and mechanisms available through the Council of Europe.
While detention-related matters form part of the mission, the Council of Europe’s work extends across a much broader range of areas relevant to Sint Maarten, including combating violence against women and domestic violence, democracy, the rule of law, and emerging issues surrounding privacy, data protection and artificial intelligence.
During the visit to Sint Maarten, the delegation will participate in a series of engagements with key institutions and stakeholders, including discussions at the Point Blanche Prison and meetings with the Governor of Sint Maarten and Parliament’s Justice Committee. These engagements will provide opportunities for direct exchange on human rights, ongoing developments and areas for continued cooperation.