
Government spent millions, but effectiveness support programs remains unclear
PHILIPSBURG — The government paid out millions of guilders through its stimulus and relief program (SSRP) in 2021, but the Audit Chamber has been unable to establish whether this program was effective. ”During More...

Audit Chamber issues adverse opinion about 2020 financial statements
PHILIPSBURG — The government is not very good at managing the money it has at its disposal to run the country. This becomes clear once more from the General Audit’s Chamber audit of the country’s 2020 More...

Road tax disappears unlawfully into general budget
PHILIPSBURG — In 2009 a detailed draft report estimated there was a road network maintenance backlog worth at least 360 million guilders ($201.1 million). During the following twelve to thirteen years, the More...

Guilty by doing nothing
By Hilbert Haar The parliament is supposed to control the government. Right? Says so in the constitution. But the parliament has no clue about the way the government is spending tax payers money – and apparently More...

Audit Chamber gives negative opinion about 2019 financial statements
PHILIPSBURG — The General Audit Chamber confirms in its compliance audit of St. Maarten’s financial statement for the year 2019 what has been a headache ever since the territory obtained autonomy within More...

SSRP-audit leaves questions unanswered and raises new ones
PHILIPSBURG — The General Audit Chamber’s focus audit of the execution of the stimulus and relief program (SSRP) in 2020 raises questions about the program’s effectiveness, its authors write. The report’s More...

Responsible gambling is of no concern to the government
PHILIPSBURG — Gambling became an issue after StMaartenNews.com revealed how old slot machines have surfaced at several locations around the island. Just last month, the General Audit Chamber published its More...

Financial chaos
By Hilbert Haar If you managed your household finances the way the government deals with its taxpayer-funded financial responsibilities you would probably have a hell of a row with your better half. Related article: More...

Audit Chamber presents devastating report about 2017 financial statements
PHILIPSBURG — The country’s 2017 financial statements contain “numerous errors and uncertainties,” the General Audit Chamber writes in its compliance audit St. Maarten Financial Statements 2017. “Expenditures More...

Audit Chamber has its financial management under control
PHILIPSBURG — The General Audit Chamber shows in its 2020 annual report that its financial management is in good shape and that the organization lives up to promise to deliver its annual report to parliament More...