PHILIPSBURG:--- As conversations revisit the government’s first year, they also underscore that progress is driven not by reflection alone but by clear focus on the tasks ahead. Evaluations contribute to the dialogue, but real improvement comes from solutions and coordinated action.
With that forward focus, MP Darryl T.J. York has submitted two Committee meeting requests calling for immediate, structured updates from the Minister of VROMI on Sint Maarten’s growing flood vulnerabilities, persistent drainage failures, and the continued deterioration of the island’s infrastructure.
York highlights that residents are encountering greater risks even as Parliament works with partial or zero information, making structured oversight essential for a clear and coordinated infrastructure plan.
The first request zeroes in on national flood management and drainage readiness. It seeks an update on the Ministry’s response to recent rainfall, the condition of the drainage network, identified high-risk zones, and the tools used to assess water behavior, as well as clarity on infrastructure works that have been delayed, shifted in priority, or lack clear timelines.
The second request turns to the broader road network and infrastructure planning. York seeks updates on short and long-term plans, current priorities, technical assessments, monitoring practices, and conditions in key areas flagged in recent reports and felt by the community. He notes that ongoing deterioration and limited communication underscore the need for a thorough briefing.
Together, the requests seek clarity amid rising flooding, unsafe roads, and stalled works. York aims to give Parliament the insight it needs to move from assessments to driving solution-based discussions.
“There’s value in reflecting on the past year, but my focus is firmly on the year ahead. Floods don’t wait. Potholes don’t wait. And the people of Sint Maarten shouldn’t be left waiting either.”
York also observes that his request for a Committee meeting on housing and social living conditions has been pending since April, a quiet reminder that not all pressing issues move at the same pace. He continues to push for progress, though the constant delays do prompt reasonable questions about how the Government orders its priorities.
