A report from our Correspondent COLE BAY — Duped investors of Carbon Grove Residences in Cole Bay are planning a town hall meeting on Thursday, October 5, at a later to be disclosed location in Simpson Bay. After creating a WhatsApp discussion group, dozens of clients of Carbon Acquisition Group (CAG) dba Melbon Enterprises are making collective efforts to persuade the Prosecutor to launch a criminal investigation into the real estate company and its owner Dwain Carbon. The group is represented by a lawyer who was informed that the Chief Prosecutor would take a decision before the end of September.…
Author: The Publisher
WILLEMSTAD — The results of general pension fund APC were under pressure in 2022 as a result of disappointing investment results and the war in the Ukraine and the associated price- and interest rate increases. The coverage rate declined from 111.5 percent in 2021 to 103.7 percent at the end of 2022. In its annual report APC maintains that its available assets of 5,148 million guilders ($2,876 million) are sufficient to cover its pension liabilities. However, the coverage rate of 103.7 percent is insufficient to cover general risks; that requires a rate of 105 percent. In the long term, APC…
WILLEMSTAD — “It is a given that Artificial Intelligence (AI) will not go away,” said Carine Jänsch, the Dean of the Bar Association in Curacao in a speech during the installation of new judges at the Common Court of Justice. “AI is used worldwide to optimize judicial databases and to make them more accessible for professionals and incidental users. Application in the administration of Justice is the next step.” Jänsch said that there is a European ordinance AI in the pipeline that also addresses the use of AI for supporting judicial agencies with explaining facts and the application of the…
GREAT BAY — The One St. Martin (One SXM) Association, acting on behalf of the People of St. Martin, has submitted a formal claim for reparations against the Netherlands (also referred to as the Dutch or Dutch State). This significant claim is based on the historical injustices committed against the St. Martin People, stemming from Transatlantic Chattel Slavery (TCS) and Colonialism. Throughout the Caribbean and on the island of St. Martin, the Dutch played a role in enslavement, trafficking, and the financing of the Transatlantic Slave Trade, primarily involving Africans who are the ancestors of the majority of the St.…
Point-á-Pitre — The Commercial Court in Guadeloupe ruled on Friday that Cipim (the holding company of the Edeis Group) and the community of Saint Martin will take over part of Air Antilles. Air Guyane is not part of the deal, so this airline has been declared bankrupt. Air Antilles and Air Guyane were part of the Interregional Express Airline (Caire) which placed itself in liquidation in August. The court’s decision means that 176 of the 309 employees of Caire will be laid off. Louis Mussington, the president of the Collectivité de Saint Martin is delighted with the court’s decision. “The…
By Hilbert Haar What is the world coming to? What happened to the process of logical thinking? Those thoughts hit me like a hurricane when I read that the Council of Ministers asked the Integrity Chamber whether it is acceptable to let third parties pay for travel and accommodation expenses. See related article: Integrity Chamber advises against payment of travel expenses by third parties Good grief! I am not an expert but I could have answered that question in something like thirty seconds. Of course it is not acceptable to have others pay expenses for traveling on government business. This…
PHILIPSBURG — Expenses for travel and accommodation for ministers and civil servants should be paid by the government, the Integrity Chamber states in an advice to the Council of Ministers. Related link: Advice on Travel and Accommodation Paid by Third Parties The CoM asked for an advice on this issue on May 17, and the Integrity Chamber provided it to Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs on June 29. The question the CoM put to the Integrity Chamber was “whether travel and/or accommodation expenses paid for by third parties for ministers and civil servants is acceptable.” The advice first of all points…
WILLEMSTAD — Leomar ‘Guillano’ Schoop succeeds Ton Maan per February 1, 2024, as Attorney-General. The Kingdom Council of Ministers approved Schoop’s nomination by the ministers of justice of Curacao and St. Maarten. According to a press release from the prosecutor’s office Schoop appeared as “the most solid candidate” during the selection process because of his relevant network and his strong roots in the region. During his career, Schoop worked for investigation services and for the prosecutor’s office where he is currently the acting chief prosecutor for Curacao. As the acting chief prosecutor for the BES-islands, Schoop improved chain relations. He…
WILLEMSTAD — Eva Bos has been appointed as the Solicitor-General at the Office of the Attorney-General for Curacao, St. Maarten, Bonaire, Statia and Saba. She succeeds Leomar Angela per October 15. Bos’ appointment was approved by the Kingdom Council of Ministers, after her nomination for the position by the ministers of justice of Curacao and St. Maarten. Bos worked at the Prosecutor’s Office in Curacao since 2011. A press release from the office of the attorney-general states that, as a prosecutor, Bos “has laid a solid foundation and gained a lot of experience in leading various investigations.” Her portfolio focused…
PHILIPSBURG — The future of Air Antilles Express and Air Guyana hangs in the balance now that the commercial court in Point-á-Pitre is expected to rule on the possible bankruptcy of the Caire Group, the parent company of both airlines. The authorities in Guyana are preparing for a serious interruption of domestic air traffic if the bankruptcy becomes a reality. The website franceguyane.fr reported this week that Cafom, described by archyde.com as “a furniture specialist” has withdrawn its offer to acquire the Caire Group because of opposition from Guyana’s Territorial Council. If Cafom’s offer had been accepted, the Council would…
