Philipsburg – On behalf of the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations, Chris Johnson, head of the Dutch Representation Office on St. Maarten, presented Prime Minister Leona M. Marlin-Romeo a copy of the final version of the ‘Trust Fund’ agreement. Along with the agreement, the Prime Minister received an invitation to attend the official signing ceremony and special program hosted by the World Bank in Washington. The Netherlands and the World Bank will be signing the ‘Trust Fund’ agreement at the ceremony on April 16th, 2018. The Netherlands has reserved 550 million euros for the rebuilding of St. Maarten in the…
Author: The Publisher
PHILIPSBURG – Between November and February, 114 people applied for legal aid to the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labor. Among them were the nine employees of the airport who were dismissed for alleged theft, but the court annulled all dismissals. Minister Emil Lee congratulated the airport employees on Wednesday with their victory in court. He also used the opportunity to explain his role and that of his ministry in labor disputes. “These are challenging times; and it’s hard. People come to my office regularly, feeling that their rights have been trampled on and that their employer is…
PHILIPSBURG – The newly formed coalition of United Democrats and St. Maarten Christian Party is still negotiating the division of portfolios in the new government. On Thursday UD and SMCP-representatives met again to discuss the options but so far no announcement has become available about a possible solution.(*) UD-leader and formateur MP Theo Heyliger said in a brief statement on Wednesday to stmaartennews.com: “No candidate ministers have started the vetting process as yet. Candidate ministers have to be discussed with both parties first.” Earlier, SMCP-leader MP Wycliffe Smith, came with a similar statement. “The next step towards completing the government…
PHILIPSBURG – “A place where people can live in privacy, with dignity and respect.” That’s how Minister Emil Lee (Public Health, Social Development and Labor) described on Thursday the transition shelter (or T-shelter, for short) in Sucker Garden, housed behind El Capitan in the building that formerly was home to the now bankrupt Hypnotic brothel.
PHILIPSBURG – A delegation of the World Bank is visiting Sint Maarten this week to help with the preparation of the early priority projects. The World Bank delegation is focused on disaster preparedness and emergency recovery projects, such as the repairs of the police stations, urgent repairs of shelters and equipment for the fire department. The Government of Sint Maarten has identified these projects so that we are prepared for the peak of the hurricane season. The next step that Sint Maarten has been waiting for is almost here. This Monday coming, the Minister of Finance Michael Ferrier and Prime…
PHILIPSBURG – “We are starting to see signs of economic recovery and some jobs coming back to the community,” Minister Emil Lee (Public Health, Social Development and Labor) said at Wednesday’s Council of Ministers press briefing. “There are positive signs that St. Maarten is busy to rebound – not as quickly as we would like, but there are positive indications all the same.” The minister based his statements on the job fair held at Divi Little Bay Resort on Tuesday, where 260 permanent residents and Dutch passport holders applied for a job. The resort plans to reopen 87 rooms during…
CUL-DE-SAC — Just when you thought that the 360 degree view from the crest of Sentry Hill, the highest point of the Rain Forest Adventure Park on Rockland Estate, provided the wow factor. The 45 second adrenaline rush trip down the Flying Dutchman was designed to take one’s breath away, literally.
INVESTING IN DEVELOPING HERITAGE TOURISM, Opportunity and Responsibility Remarks delivered by H.E. drs. Eugene B. Holiday Governor of Sint Maarten on the occasion of the Grand Opening of the Rockland Estate Sint Maarten April 11, 2018 Ladies and Gentlemen, Good Afternoon. Today’s Grand opening of the Rockland Estate by Rainforest Adventure represents a new chapter in the evolution of this area from former plantation to eco-park for visitors and residents. An evolution that interconnects Sint Maarten’s former plantation economy with Sint Maarten’s current tourism economy. An evolution which because of this unique site has the potential to interconnect our culture,…
PHILIPSBURG – While the French side of the island already saw an influx of refugees from Venezuela back in 2016, Minister of Justice Cornelius de Weever said on Wednesday that no requests for asylum had come across his desk from that corner so far. De Weever reflected on his meeting with Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs Stef Blok and the Prime Ministers of Aruba and Curacao to discuss the situation in Venezuela. “The situation is a lot different for them than it is for St. Maarten,” he said, before referring to Prime Minister Marlin-Romeo for further elucidation. “We do not…
PHILIPSBURG – A fire on the post-Irma dumpsite on Pond Island ignited on Tuesday night and continued to be a nuisance throughout the day on Wednesday. Low-hanging smoke wafted over Soualiga Boulevard and on social media citizens complained about yet another dump fire. Prime Minister Leona Marlin-Romeo said at Wednesday’s Council of Ministers press briefing that the people from the fire department and the ministry of VROMI were at the location on Tuesday night. “As I speak they are doing their utmost to extinguish this fire.” The government will continue to monitor the effects of the smoke, the Prime Minister…
