PHILIPSBURG:---  The National Recovery Program Bureau (NRPB) has recently relaunched the bidding processes for repairs to 12 school gyms and 13 public sports facilities, as well as the construction of the new Emergency Operations Center (EOC). These activities form part of the final works under Emergency Recovery Project I (ERP-1), aimed at restoring and strengthening public infrastructure and disaster preparedness.
Earlier this month, the NRPB hosted contractors for a series of pre-bid site visits at selected school gyms and public sports facilities as part of the tender process. The bid period has closed, and submissions are being evaluated. Contract signing is expected to be in early 2026 ,followed by construction soon after.
The tenders for the repairs to school gyms, sports facilities, and the construction of the EOC were relaunched because the previously awarded contracts for these works had to be terminated for non-performance by the contractor.
To ensure that the terminated activities can still be completed through the Trust Fund, the school gym and sports facilities repairs have been repackaged into smaller tenders. This structure encouraged broader participation from qualified local contractors and maintains transparency throughout the procurement process. All bids submitted for these tenders are from local contractors and are currently under evaluation.
The EOC construction is part of an expansion of the Fire and Ambulance Building. The tender for this contract was launched on October 27, with mobilization planned for April 2026. The Construction of the EOC is scheduled to finish in the second half of 2027. Located beside the Fire and Ambulance Department, the new EOC will provide Sint Maarten with a permanent, purpose-built facility for emergency coordination and response.
ERP-1 is implemented by the NRPB on behalf of the Government of Sint Maarten. It is funded by the Sint Maarten Trust Fund, which is financed by the Government of the Netherlands and managed by the World Bank.
If you are interested in the tender for the expansion of the F&A building and new EOC building, please visit the NRPB Tender Page at www.nrpbsxm.org/tenders for bidding details and other open opportunities.

PHILIPSBURG: --- Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication (TEATT) Grisha Heyliger-Marten says her ministry is actively pursuing new funding opportunities and policy reforms to strengthen agriculture, animal husbandry, and food sustainability on St. Maarten.

During the Council of Ministers press briefing, Minister Heyliger-Marten confirmed that her ministry has submitted between eight to twelve proposals for funding through European Union sustainability programs coordinated via The Hague and Brussels. Among these, several focus specifically on agricultural development and sustainability initiatives.
“We have put in at least between eight and twelve requests for anything sustainable that supports the development of the island,” Heyliger-Marten said. “One of the main ones we’re tapping into is the agricultural fund, which amounts to several million euros. Once we get confirmation, I’ll be able to announce those projects officially.”

The Minister noted that St. Maarten has long lagged in structured agricultural policy and oversight. To address this, the government is moving forward with the establishment of the Agriculture, Livestock, and Fishery (ALF) Agency, an entity that will manage and regulate the sector more effectively.

“Right now, when it comes to agriculture, animal husbandry, and fishery, we have only five people between the policy and inspectorate departments,” the Minister explained. “That’s not nearly enough. The new ALF agency will create a proper structure, with qualified staff who can monitor and support farmers, fishermen, and livestock owners.”

However, the path to agricultural renewal is not without challenges. St. Maarten continues to face serious issues with wild animal infestations, including green iguanas and vervet monkeys, which have been destroying crops in several communities. Farmers have also reported repeated attacks by stray dogs on goats and sheep, resulting in severe losses for small-scale livestock operations.

Community members have raised growing concerns about the lack of clear control or a compensation program for affected farmers. As the Ministry promotes local food security and sustainability, questions remain about how the government intends to protect farmers from these threats and whether there are mechanisms in place to compensate for losses resulting from such damage.

The Minister acknowledged the need for stronger animal control measures but emphasized that a coordinated approach is required, involving multiple ministries, including TEATT, VSA (Public Health, Social Development, and Labor), and VROMI (Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment, and Infrastructure).
“We are working to rebuild agriculture from the ground up,” Heyliger-Marten said. “But it will take time, resources, and cooperation across ministries to protect and sustain our farmers and livestock truly.”

When asked about earlier proposals for a floating farm in the Great Salt Pond — an idea introduced by Dutch counterparts and inspired by a similar initiative in Rotterdam — the Minister said the concept had been explored but was ultimately deemed financially unfeasible for now.
“We did consider the floating farm model, both for production and agri-tourism,” she said. “It was a creative idea and could one day work here with investors, but at this point it’s not financially sustainable.”

Minister Heyliger-Marten reiterated her commitment to promoting food sustainability and agricultural resilience, noting that ongoing initiatives are key to reducing import dependency and revitalizing rural livelihoods on the island.
“Agriculture is not just about crops or livestock,” she said. “It’s about food security, sustainability, and national resilience. We are determined to build the structures that make this possible.”

PHILIPSBURG:---  During Wednesday’s Council of Ministers press briefing, Minister of Justice Nathalie Tackling reaffirmed her commitment to accountability, transparency, and integrity in the execution of justice-related duties, emphasizing that the ministry continues to take steps to restore and strengthen public trust in law enforcement institutions.
Minister Tackling addressed ongoing concerns about the functioning of the justice system. It underscored that her ministry’s focus remains on improving operational efficiency and ensuring that all agencies under the justice umbrella adhere to the principles of fairness and professionalism.
“Our goal is not only to enforce the law but to uphold the values that make our justice system credible and trustworthy,” Tackling stated. “We must continue to build a structure that reflects transparency and accountability to the people we serve.”
The Minister noted that the Ministry of Justice has been assessing internal processes, particularly in personnel management, compliance, and oversight, to identify gaps that may hinder service delivery. She reiterated her dedication to creating a system where every decision is guided by integrity and due process.
Addressing questions from the media, Minister Tackling declined to comment on ongoing investigations or cases, but assured that all actions taken by her ministry comply with established legal frameworks and ethical standards. She also called on the public and the media to allow these processes to unfold through proper channels.
“Accountability starts from within,” she said. “It is our duty to ensure that justice is not only done but also seen to be done, without prejudice, influence, or bias.”
The Minister added that collaboration across government agencies remains key to achieving meaningful reform within the justice sector. She acknowledged the challenges faced by law enforcement officers but expressed confidence that ongoing reforms will yield tangible results in strengthening institutional capacity.
Minister Tackling concluded her remarks by reaffirming her commitment to open dialogue with the public and stakeholders, ensuring that the Ministry of Justice remains responsive and transparent in its operations.

PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Justice Nathalie Tackling has clarified that recent discussions with the business community about funding public safety initiatives are not requests for donations but a response to offers of partnership from local stakeholders. Speaking during Wednesday’s Council of Ministers press briefing, Minister Tackling emphasized that the initiative was driven by the private sector’s willingness to assist in addressing Sint Maarten’s growing security concerns.

“This was not a matter of the Ministry begging for money,” Minister Tackling stated. “The business community approached us asking what they could do to help strengthen safety and security. In that meeting, I made it clear — you can come to the table and help, or you can’t. But we will continue to do what we can within our budget to ensure public safety.

The proposal outlines a range of security improvement measures totaling roughly $500,000 that could accelerate safety enhancements in key areas. While open to collaboration, Minister Tackling stressed that the government will retain full control over implementation, ensuring that assistance is not tied to strings.

“We have a safety plan, and you can assist with that plan — but that does not mean a business can dictate where a police officer is stationed,” she explained. “The goal is to improve overall safety, not to provide private security through public resources.”

When asked whether businesses contributing to the initiative might receive tax breaks or other concessions, Minister Tackling was clear:

“It’s not my intention, nor within my authority, to offer tax breaks in return for support. If businesses choose to help, it should be because they recognize the shared benefit of a safer Sint Maarten, not because they expect something in return.”

She also reiterated that while some businesses have expressed willingness to contribute financially, the government remains responsible for sustaining safety and security through its own resources and long-term planning.

“We’re looking at creative ways to stretch our budget and accelerate the implementation of safety measures,” Tackling said. “But even without external support, our commitment remains the same — to protect the people of Sint Maarten.”

In response to concerns about the Crime Fund, the Minister noted that those resources are designated for long-term crime prevention initiatives, not short-term operational needs.

“That fund is meant to reinvest in education, community programs, and projects that reduce crime at the root,” she said. “We won’t turn it into another general-use fund.”

The Minister concluded by acknowledging the broader challenges facing public safety, including low compliance rates and capacity limitations within law enforcement, but reaffirmed that collaboration between government, police, and the private sector remains essential to building a safer Sint Maarten.

“Security is everyone’s business,” she said. “We all have a role to play — from how we secure our own properties to how we support the police and each other. This is about partnership, not privilege