PHILIPSBURG;--- Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication (TEATT) Grisha Heyliger-Marten says the government is actively monitoring shipping costs and their possible impact on consumer prices as global fuel instability continues.
Speaking during the question-and-answer segment of Wednesday’s Council of Ministers press briefing, Heyliger-Marten responded to concerns that rising fuel prices could drive up freight charges, supermarket prices, refrigeration costs, and transportation expenses across the island.
The minister confirmed that her ministry is maintaining direct communication with shipping companies to track rate changes and determine whether increases are justified.
“What we continue to do is monitor our basket of goods,” she said. “We also monitor what the inspector has been doing, checking prices.”
According to Heyliger-Marten, the ministry receives updates from shipping companies whenever freight rates change. That information is then used by inspectors who visit supermarkets and compare retail prices to determine whether excessive markups are taking place.
She explained that if prices rise sharply without reasonable cause, the ministry intervenes and raises concerns with businesses.
“Based on that, the inspectors are going into the supermarkets, monitoring the rates, and seeing if it is a huge spike given what the shipping company has just informed us,” she stated.
Despite international concerns about higher shipping and fuel costs, the minister said Sint Maarten has not yet experienced any major increases in the prices of everyday goods.
“For now, the basket of goods remains as is,” she said. “We haven’t received any major issues on spikes.”
Heyliger-Marten added that shipping cost increases so far have remained relatively moderate, and supermarkets have generally maintained stable pricing.
Still, she acknowledged that global developments could eventually affect import costs and said the ministry will continue watching the situation carefully.
“The focus is on monitoring and mitigating if there is any over-access in prices,” she said.
With Sint Maarten heavily dependent on imported goods, the TEATT Ministry says continued oversight remains essential to protecting consumers from unjustified price hikes.

PHILIPSBURG: --- Minister of VROMI Patrice Gumbs Jr. says the island’s growing pothole problem cannot be solved with short-term patchwork alone, warning that many roads now require complete reconstruction.
Responding to complaints about worsening road conditions during Wednesday’s Council of Ministers press briefing, Gumbs acknowledged public frustration over larger and more dangerous potholes appearing across Sint Maarten.
He specifically addressed the damaged roadway in the Guana Bay area, explaining that the issue extends far beyond the road surface itself.
“When work began, it was recognized that the problem isn’t necessarily the road itself, it’s the subsurface,” Gumbs said.
According to the minister, repair efforts had to be paused so engineers could design a new solution addressing both the road surface and the unstable ground underneath.
He noted that for years roads have often been repaired by simply scraping the top layer and applying fresh asphalt, without addressing deeper structural issues.
“That is why you continue to see potholes returning,” he explained.
Gumbs said heavy rainfall also worsens already fragile roads, creating new potholes in areas that previously appeared stable.
To address the issue, VROMI has already begun a new pothole patching campaign and plans to procure additional cold asphalt so repairs can continue.
However, he emphasized that these are temporary fixes while the government works toward a broader long-term solution.
One of those solutions is the proposed Road Fund, which would help finance sustainable road repairs and introduce proper construction standards for Sint Maarten’s road network.
The minister said the island currently lacks formal road-building standards and is examining systems used on the French side as a possible model.
“It may seem like nothing is happening, but the ministry is not sitting back,” Gumbs said. “What we’ve been doing no longer matches what is needed.”
He added that improving the road network remains a priority despite budget and contractor capacity challenges.

PHILIPSBURG:---  Minister of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure (VROMI) Patrice Gumbs Jr. says the government is stepping up efforts to tackle recurring garbage pile-ups across the island, warning that enforcement measures and fines are on the way for illegal dumping.
Speaking at Wednesday’s Council of Ministers press briefing, Gumbs described the garbage situation in the Cole Bay area over the weekend as the latest in a series of troubling incidents.
He reminded waste haulers of their contractual obligation to collect household garbage daily and urged them to report any vehicle breakdowns or service interruptions immediately to the ministry’s contract management team.

“If you are unable to service an area as contracted, report it. Do not hide it,” Gumbs said.
The minister stressed that keeping the island clean is not solely the government’s responsibility, but a shared duty involving residents, businesses, and contractors.
The government recently extended existing garbage contracts for six months and reassigned certain collection zones to new haulers in an effort to improve reliability. According to Gumbs, these changes have already led to better performance in several known hotspot areas.

He also pointed out that haulers are contracted to collect only household waste, while businesses are expected to arrange private garbage collection services. Commercial waste dumped near roadside bins remains a major concern.
To combat illegal dumping, the VROMI Ministry is working closely with the Ministry of Justice and reviewing camera footage to identify offenders.
“The Ministry is working on measures to ensure that fines can be issued in order to ensure compliance with the rules,” Gumbs stated.
He added that the legal groundwork is currently being finalized so authorities can begin issuing penalties to those who violate waste-disposal laws.
Gumbs urged the public to use the landfill properly, noting that disposal of solid waste remains free, yet illegal dumping persists.
“I am asking the community to support a clean, environmentally safe Sint Maarten by following the established rules on waste disposal,” he said.

PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Justice Nathalie Tackling has issued a stern warning to individuals involved in fights and violent disturbances during Carnival, declaring that such behavior will not be tolerated.
During Wednesday’s live Council of Ministers press briefing, Tackling addressed recent incidents of disorderly conduct and group fights in and around the Festival Village.
“This behavior will not be tolerated. Not by this ministry, not by the police force, and not by the community that we all share,” she said.
As part of immediate measures to restore order, the government has adjusted operating hours for the Festival Village. All booths and activities must now close at 4:00 a.m. daily and reopen at 6:00 a.m.
The minister said the decision was taken in the interest of public safety, crowd control, and maintaining order during the busy Carnival season.
Police officers have been instructed to strictly enforce the new rules, and full cooperation is expected from booth holders and the public.
Tackling warned that anyone attending Carnival with the intention to fight, incite violence, or settle personal disputes will face serious consequences.
“Arrests will be made, charges will be pursued, and a night of poor judgment can become a criminal record that will follow you well beyond this Carnival season,” she said.
With major events such as Jouvert Morning and the Grand Parade still ahead, the minister delivered a direct message to revelers.
“If you come to cause harm, you will be removed, and you will be held accountable.”
The Ministry of Justice has also strengthened law enforcement operations throughout Carnival. Measures include increased police presence before, during and after events, active patrols for crowd and traffic control, and preventative searches for illegal narcotics and firearms.
In addition, more than 20 officers from Aruba and Curaçao, along with officers from the BES islands, are assisting local police during the Carnival period.
Despite the recent incidents, Tackling emphasized that most residents and visitors have celebrated responsibly and peacefully.
“Carnival is a time of celebration, culture, and unity. Let us not allow violence or recklessness to overshadow what this season represents,” she said.