PHILIPSBURG:--- For over 40 years, St. Maarten has grappled with a pattern of corruption, greed, and self-enrichment that has left ordinary citizens struggling while politicians and insiders have amassed wealth and power from government resources. The latest revelations in the public transport sector highlight only a fraction of a systemic issue deeply rooted in the island’s governance.

Public Transport: A System Rigged for the Powerful

Data from the Ministry of TEATT reveals a sector riddled with irregularities: hundreds of bus and taxi licenses issued without oversight, duplicate permits, and vehicles operating illegally.

• Of 300 bus licenses recorded, only 29 are actively registered, leaving over 100 buses potentially illegal
• 600 registered taxis, but only 454 verified as compliant
• Multiple cases of license duplication, expired permits, and plate holders using vehicles not registered to them

These figures reveal a sector where ordinary operators are often blocked from accessing licenses, while politicians and their allies hold multiple permits, T licenses, and fleet rights. For decades, this same system has been used as a tool for vote-buying, political favoritism, and personal enrichment.

Economic Licenses: Tools for Political Exploitation

St. Maarten’s economic licenses and permits, whether for taxis, buses, or commercial ventures, have long been treated as political currency. Politicians routinely leveraged these licenses to secure political support, leaving ordinary citizens with no opportunity to participate in their own economy.

• Many sitting members of parliament today hold numerous taxis, buses, and T licenses, while common citizens remain unable to acquire even a single permit.
• Licenses were routinely sold, rented, or transferred for profit, while the general public waited years for approval.

The transport licensing scandal is just the tip of the iceberg. The practice of using economic rights for personal gain has permeated all areas of governance.

Lease Land: A Legacy of Inequity

The abuse of government-leased land mirrors the corruption seen in the transport sector. Former politicians distributed hundreds of plots of leased land to friends, family, and political supporters, often timed to coincide with elections.

• Many of these plots were sold immediately, often the same day they were granted, generating quick profit for the politically connected.
• Ordinary citizens have been forced to wait decades for access to leased land, despite the government's promise.s
• Political elites used land rights to reward loyalty, entrenching inequity and consolidating power.

This trend has contributed to a cycle in which the wealthiest and most politically connected continue to benefit, while ordinary residents are systematically excluded from opportunities to build businesses, own land, or operate in regulated sectors such as transport.

A Pattern of Greed and Accountability

Over the decades, St. Maarten has seen politicians jailed, prosecuted, and investigated for misappropriation of government funds and resources. Yet, despite high-profile cases, the underlying culture of greed has persisted, with insiders continuing to exploit economic licenses, land rights, and public resources.

• Public transport licenses and leased land have been traded for votes, political favor, or personal enrichment.
• The common man is left waiting while political elites expand their holdings and influence.
• Corruption has become systemic, embedding inequity into governance structures.

The Human Cost

For decades, ordinary St. Maarteners have watched wealth and opportunity flow to politicians and insiders while their own aspirations were blocked:

• Citizens unable to get taxi or bus licenses are forced to pay exorbitant fees or bribes to intermediaries
• Families wait decades forthe  government to lease land, while politicians profit from immediate resale
• The economy is distorted, opportunity is concentrated in the hands of the few, and public trust is eroded

A Call for Reform

The recent transport licensing scandal exposes a microcosm of a much larger problem: entrenched corruption, political favoritism, and exploitation of public resources. St. Maarten now faces a choice:

• Continue the decades-long pattern of enriching the few at the expense of the many
• Or implement real reforms that ensure licenses, land, and economic opportunities are fairly allocated, transparent, and free from political manipulation

The island’s history shows that greed can put politicians behind bars, but without structural reform, it will continue to harm the common man. St. Maarten deserves a system where opportunity is earned, not bought, and where public resources serve the people—not the politicians.

PHILIPSBURG:---  The Ministry of TEATT has uncovered what could only be described as a decade-long disaster in the country’s public transport sector—an industry plagued by mismanagement, corruption, and regulatory negligence. Hundreds of bus and taxi licenses were issued without oversight, verification, or accountability, leaving the system vulnerable to abuse and illegal operations.

Bus Licenses: Hundreds Issued Illegally

Data from the Ministry of TEATT shows that of the 300 bus licenses recorded, only 29 buses were actively registered with road tax payments in 2025, leaving over 100 buses potentially operating illegally—or possibly non-existent.

• Individual permits: 129
• Company permits: 9 companies, holding 38 plates collectively
• New bus permits issued in 2023: 87
  • Verified with IATA & paid road tax: 66
  • Not listed / unverified: 21
  • Duplicate licenses: 11, raise questions about true ownership
• Driver demographics:
  • Average age: 61
  • Most common age: 60
  • Oldest: 86, Youngest: 30
  • Nationality: Majority Dutch, followed by naturalized Haitians and other Haitian descent

Comparison over the years exposes systemic decline:

• 2013 licenses: Issued in Dutch, stamped physically by the ministry, with unique registration numbers, approval taking nearly a year
• 2023 licenses: Issued in English, no stamps, approval under two months, some without license numbers, automatic expiration clauses inconsistent, and conditions lifted to allow issuance to noncompliant operators

The findings reveal an industry where permits were issued arbitrarily, often on paper only, with no digital trace in official systems, creating fertile ground for exploitation.

Taxi Licenses: Oversaturation and Mismanagement

The taxi sector mirrors the chaos of buses. Of 600 registered taxis, only 454 operators were confirmed compliant through IATA verification and road tax payments.

• New taxi permits in 2023: 136
  • Verified among 454: 107
  • Unverified: 29
  • Additional unknown / unlisted permits: 34+
  • Duplicate permits: 2 (one holder deceased)
• Driver demographics:
  • Male: 330, Female: 142
  • Average age: 60
  • Most common age: 60
  • Oldest: 91, Youngest: 21
  • Predominantly Dutch nationals

The sector suffers from oversaturation, regulatory loopholes, and illegal arrangements—operators holding multiple business names, using third-party insurance, and exceeding fleet limits.

Payment Discrepancies and Plate Issues

T Plates: 137 paid

• Companies: 80 plates among 29 companies
• Individuals: 57 plates among 40 individuals

G Plates: 80 paid

• Companies: 64 plates among 18 companies
• Individuals: 16 plates among 9 individuals

Touring car companies exploited single permits to operate multiple vehicles under different business names, and Chamber of Commerce registrations frequently did not match permit names. Some vehicles were registered in individual names despite company operations, creating legal ambiguity and untraceable activity.

Timeline of Mismanagement

• 2013: Licenses slow, highly regulated, documented
• 2023: Licenses issued rapidly, without physical stamps, inconsistent oversight
• 2024: Annual confirmation process canceled, letters sent to operators
• 2025: Process reinitiated January 8; reminders February 7; compliance deadline February 25, extended to August 8; issuance of confirmation letters suspended August 13–14

This demonstrates years of unchecked issuance, poor planning, and administrative gaps that allowed exploitation to flourish.

Comparisons With Neighboring Islands

Oversaturation is stark compared to nearby territories:

The ratio of taxis and buses to population far exceeds these islands, reflecting oversaturation and systemic regulatory failure.

Systemic Failures and Corruption

The ministry’s audit revealed:

• Operators expanding fleets beyond permitted limits
• Vehicles in deplorable condition
• Plate holders driving others’ vehicles
• Duplicate and unregistered permits
• Illegal license renting at exorbitant fees
• Chamber of Commerce discrepancies and arbitrary business names

Former administrations allowed these practices to thrive under the guise of “cleanups,” creating a system vulnerable to abuse, political favoritism, and financial exploitation.

Government Response: Five-Phase Reform Plan

Minister Grisha Heyliger Marten announced:

1. Data Verification & Compliance: Completed cleanup, identified dormant and noncompliant permits
2. Permit Realization & Driver Certification: Revocation of noncompliant licenses; mandatory certification for safety, knowledge, and medical checks
3. Legislative Framework: Drafting amendments to the Passenger Transport Ordinance, piloting digital dispatch systems
4. Finalization & Decree: Submission to Parliament to consolidate transport policy
5. Transportation Authority: Establish a central authority to regulate and oversee public transport

Timeline:

• 2025: Cleanup & certification
• 2026: Draft law & digital dispatch pilot
• 2027: Final laws passed & transportation authority operational

Minister Heyliger Marten emphasized accountability: “Licenses issued without oversight, rules ignored, and sectors left in chaos… accountability is necessary if we are to rebuild trust.”

Conclusion: Rebuilding Trust Amid Chaos

The investigation exposes a sector long plagued by corruption, negligence, and outdated laws. Hundreds of licenses issued without oversight, operators exploiting loopholes, and vehicles in unsafe conditions highlight systemic failure.

The ministry’s phased reform seeks to restore order, transparency, and fairness. But after years of exploitation and administrative neglect, the public will be watching closely. The question remains: can the government enforce compliance and rebuild trust, or will public transport continue to be a playground for corruption?

One thing is clear: the rot runs deep, and without decisive action, accountability, and modernization, the chaos is far from over.

PHILIPSBURG:---:--- The members of the Fire and Ambulance Department strongly refute the statements released by the Cabinet of the Prime Minister, which claim that the Prime Minister proposed a mediator to the Union. This misleading statement perfectly illustrates why the Union has repeatedly demanded a signed commitment letter—as truth remains a distant friend of this Cabinet.
Following a live press conference on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, the Union submitted a letter to the Prime Minister on behalf of the Fire Department's members. This letter reiterated that the members are tired of the ongoing back-and-forth and once again requested the appointment of a neutral mediator, as previously agreed on April 29, 2025.
It must be noted that when the Prime Minister was advised by his colleagues to turn the matter over to a mediator, he refused. Yet the latest narrative from his Cabinet now claims he is proposing a mediator, a claim that is both inaccurate and misleading.
The members will confer and indicate their mediator of choice, and thank the Prime Minister for his prompt response and for submitting a list of proposed candidates. However, the Union once again stresses the need for transparency and honesty throughout this process.
Furthermore, the press release issued on behalf of the Prime Minister contained information that was never discussed with either the members or the Union. Anyone reading that release would be led to believe that a roundtable discussion had taken place, which is false. While a letter was indeed sent to the Union President, the details reflected in the Prime Minister’s press release do not match the contents of that correspondence.
It is also important to clarify that nowhere in the letter to the Union President were there any statements indicating non-disclosure of the proposed mediators. The attempt to create such a narrative is misleading and adds unnecessary tension to an already delicate process. This constant distortion of facts has become tiring and deeply disappointing, particularly when coming from individuals in positions of leadership.
The lack of honesty and transparency is precisely what has brought this situation to its current impasse. Even as the parties move toward mediation, misleading information continues to circulate.
The members of the Fire and Ambulance Department remain committed to constructive dialogue and to finding a fair and lasting resolution in the interest of all parties involved.
As we advance, there will be no further communication to the media on this matter until it has been resolved.

PHILIPSBURG:--- Concerns are growing across St. Maarten as several sectors express frustration over unpaid invoices, stalled projects, and what many describe as a widening gap between government priorities and the needs of workers and vendors.

While politicians within the URSM-led coalition, including ministers, Members of Parliament, and cabinet staff, continue to receive salaries, per diems, and other allowances on time, numerous vendors and essential service providers say they are still waiting for payment for work completed months ago.

Frontline Workers on Go-Slow Since April

Essential frontline workers have reportedly been on a “go-slow” since April 2025, citing long-standing issues over pay and working conditions. Rather than addressing their concerns, Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina urged the WICSU-PSU union to instruct its members to return to work, a move that has sparked further criticism.

Union representatives say the government’s response has been dismissive, and that the situation reflects a broader lack of engagement with labor issues under the current administration.

Market Vendors Still Waiting

Market vendors in Philipsburg are also expressing disappointment, noting that the long-promised new marketplace remains unbuilt. Last year, the Minister of TEATT and members of the Democratic Party (DP) publicly laid a ceremonial “first block” for the project, but since then, there has been no visible progress on construction.

Justice Workers Await Landsbesluiten

In the justice sector, members of the NAPB and other justice workers continue to wait for their official Landsbesluiten, documents needed to finalize their legal employment status and salary adjustments. The process, which had been moving forward under former Ministers of Justice Anna Richardson and Lyndon Lewis, has reportedly stalled under the current government.

Private Sector Asked to Fund Public Duties

Business leaders are also raising eyebrows after being approached to contribute significant sums to cover government-related expenses. Private businesses have been asked to provide approximately half a million dollars to support crime prevention initiatives during the holiday season.

Earlier this week, DP MP Viren Kotai was seen in accompanying the Minister of TEATT to a meeting with the Harbor Group of Companies, a government-owned entity, in what sources described as an effort to secure additional funding. The move has prompted questions about the separation of powers and the ethical role of MPs in government financial matters.

Private Funding for Public Infrastructure

In another instance, the Minister of VROMI announced that private businesses in the Pelican area would finance the paving of Billy Folly Road, a project estimated at another half a million dollars. Critics argue that the government’s growing reliance on private funding for public infrastructure highlights poor fiscal management.

Mounting Public Concern

The developments have fueled public frustration and accusations of hypocrisy toward government officials who continue to receive timely compensation and travel benefits while leaving contractors, workers, and service providers waiting.

As one concerned business owner put it, “The private sector can’t keep paying for government’s responsibilities. We’re reaching a breaking point.”