PHILIPSBURG:--- As residents and visitors navigate the crater-filled main roads of St. Maarten, a growing chorus of public frustration is aimed squarely at the Ministry of VROMI and its head, Minister Patrice Gumbs Jr. While major arteries from the Airport to the Cruise Port deteriorate into obstacle courses, the ministry has announced a significant "Concrete Hard Resurfacing Project" on Goldfinch Road, a decision that has many questioning the government's priorities.
For weeks, drivers have been swerving to avoid a minefield of potholes, many of which are crudely circled with white paint but left unrepaired. These hazardous conditions create daily traffic dilemmas, risk damage to vehicles, and present a poor image to the thousands of tourists who form the backbone of the island's economy. Yet, official government channels remained silent on a comprehensive plan for these critical routes.
Instead, the focus has shifted to the Goldfinch Road project in Pointe Blanche, set to begin on December 8th. The announcement has sparked public outcry, with many citizens pointing out that this road serves a far smaller share of the population than the island's main thoroughfares. The project's timing and location have fueled allegations of favoritism, particularly as it benefits a secluded area where a new condominium complex was recently completed.
Further scrutiny falls on the opaque nature of other recent infrastructure projects. The repair work at the Pelican Entrance, leading to the Hilton Resort, has raised serious questions about public procurement processes. Critics ask why this public-private partnership project was not put out for public tender, a standard requirement for infrastructure works exceeding a certain value. The fact that the family home of MP Peterson, a key political ally of the Minister from the same PFP party, is located along this very route has only intensified accusations of cronyism.
The quality of the work itself has also come under fire. Citizens have observed that what was promised as a full resurfacing often materializes as mere patchwork. These temporary fixes quickly degrade, suggesting that public funds are being spent on short-term solutions that fail to address the underlying infrastructure decay. This approach leads to an endless cycle of repairs, costing taxpayers more in the long run while providing little relief.
As frustration mounts, the public is left to wonder about how resources are allocated. How can a small residential street take precedence over the island's primary economic corridor? Why are standard tendering processes seemingly bypassed for projects connected to the politically influential? These decisions erode public trust and suggest that infrastructure planning is being driven by personal connections rather than the urgent needs of the wider community.
The people of St. Maarten deserve safe roads and transparent governance. The current situation—potholes for the many, pristine pavement for a select few—is untenable. It is time for Minister Gumbs and the Ministry of VROMI to provide clear answers, justify their priorities, and commit to a fair and transparent process for all future infrastructure projects. Accountability is not just a request; it is a demand from a public tired of navigating a broken system.