PHILIPSBURG:--- In a heartfelt address during a Central Committee meeting today, Member of Parliament Omar Ottley delivered a powerful message about the urgent need to support St. Maarten's young professionals and dismantle the barriers preventing them from succeeding in their own country. Speaking directly to students present in the Tribune, MP Ottley focused on the critical theme of "breaking the glass ceiling" to secure a prosperous future for the island's next generation.
MP Ottley began by highlighting a somber reality faced by many local families. He shared the story of a colleague whose son, a scholarship recipient raised and educated in St. Martin, was unable to find a job on the island. The young man ultimately accepted a promising position abroad, but with a heavy heart. "You know his sentiments? Mommy, I am not coming back. My country has forsaken me," Ottley recounted. "So we lost another professional."
This anecdote served as a poignant example of the "glass ceiling" that holds back talented local individuals. MP Ottley stressed that his concerns were not about politics but about the tangible, real-world consequences of systemic obstacles. "When I speak, it's not about politics. It's about reality," he declared. "And that was a glass ceiling that held this young man back."
Drawing on his own experiences, Ottley revealed his struggles to find employment despite holding a master's degree. This challenge, he explained, pushed him toward a different path. "If I did not turn to entrepreneurship, I would have been one," he stated, referring to those forced to leave the island for work. "Maybe it's being raised differently that pushed me to say, instead of leaving, let me turn towards entrepreneurship."
However, he cautioned that entrepreneurship is not a simple solution, noting that the current profit tax system is a significant deterrent for new business owners. "Even today, entrepreneurship is not attractive because we have a profit tax that takes 40% of what you make," he noted. "So what are we creating for our country? What are we creating for the future?"
His speech was a direct call to action for his fellow legislators and government members. He implored them to recognize the crisis of youth unemployment and professional exodus. "Until we do what we need to do on this floor of Parliament, we cannot secure their future in this country," Ottley warned.
Concluding his address, MP Ottley turned to the students, offering them a message of hope and encouragement. He expressed his aspiration that the current leadership could serve as an example, while inspiring the youth to aim even higher. "I hope that we can exemplify and show you... what you can be," he said. "And a matter of fact, you can be way better than us." The speech underscored the critical importance of creating a supportive environment where St. Martin's youth can not only dream but also achieve their full potential at home.
MP York Calls Prison Groundbreaking "Distasteful" Over Exclusion of Former Minister.
PHILIPSBURG:--- Member of Parliament Darryl York criticized the protocol surrounding the recent groundbreaking ceremony for the new prison during a Central Committee meeting on Friday. Addressing the chair, fellow ministers, and visiting students from Mary Genevieve de Wever Primary School, York, he labeled the event "distasteful" for excluding former officials he believes were instrumental to the project.
While York initially expressed optimism about the groundbreaking, viewing it as a necessary step forward for the country, he told Parliament that his mood shifted after realizing that former Minister of Justice Anna Elaine Richardson was not on the guest list.
York argued that the ceremony, which featured current officials breaking ground, would not have been possible without the groundwork laid by the previous administration.
"No one, Madam Chair, that sat at that ceremony would have been able to sit there... no one who held a shovel would have been able to hold a shovel if former Minister Anna Elaine Richardson didn't do the work she did," York stated.
He emphasized that the issue transcends party politics or personal likability. According to the MP, failing to invite Richardson—or any other former Ministers of Justice—was a breach of professional respect. He used a local idiom to drive his point home: "We cannot one day be speaking about giving Jack the jacket, but when Jackley needs to get it, Jackley has to kick rocks."
Beyond the protocol issue, York also issued a warning about the project's execution. While acknowledging the photo opportunities taken by current MPs and Ministers, he expressed hope that the prison construction would not mirror the fate of previous infrastructure attempts.
Specifically, he referenced the marketplace project from two years prior. York cautioned the government against a scenario where "millions have been spent, and only grass has been cut" two years from now.
The MP concluded his address by reiterating that his critique was not about seeking attention, but about ensuring credit is given where it is due and maintaining accountability for public funds.
Sint Maarten's Prices Hold Steady in Q3 2025.
PHILIPSBURG:--- The latest figures from the Department of Statistics (STAT) show continued price stability for consumers in Sint Maarten. Released on January 9, 2026, the Q3 2025 Consumer Price Index (CPI) report indicates only minor shifts in the cost of goods and services, suggesting a balanced economic environment.
This article breaks down the key findings from the report. We will look at the small overall price increase, examine which household costs went up or down, and compare current numbers with previous periods to give you a clear picture of the local economy.
A Snapshot of Q3 2025 Consumer Prices
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) is a crucial measure that tracks the average change in prices paid by consumers for a basket of goods and services. For the third quarter of 2025, the CPI stood at 115.09.
This represents a slight increase of just 0.76% when compared to the second quarter of 2025, which had a CPI of 114.23. This minimal change shows that, on the whole, prices for everyday items and services did not experience significant volatility between July and September of 2025.
The Bigger Picture: A Year-on-Comparison
To understand longer-term trends, it is helpful to compare the current quarter with the same period in the previous year. When we look at Q3 2025 (115.09) and compare it to Q3 2024 (113.82), we see an annual increase of 1.12%. This moderate rise over 12 months reinforces the theme of stability.
Furthermore, by averaging the CPI across the first three quarters of 2025, we see a 1.09% increase compared to the same nine-month span in 2024. These figures collectively point to a predictable, steady economic climate, with inflation remaining in check.
A Closer Look at Your Household Spending
While the overall index shows stability, prices within specific categories fluctuated. The CPI report highlights four key expenditure categories that have the largest influence on the overall index. Let's examine how they changed from the second quarter to the third quarter of 2025.
Housing, Water and Energy Costs Decline
Good news for household budgets came from the Housing, Water and Energy category, which saw a decrease of 0.53%. This reduction was primarily driven by lower electricity costs, offering some relief to residents. As this category carries the heaviest weight in the CPI calculation (36.1%), any decrease here has a significant impact on overall living expenses.
Transport Costs Rise
In contrast, the Transport category experienced a notable increase of 3.97%. This rise was mainly due to higher prices for fuels and lubricants used in personal vehicles. For commuters and drivers, this meant spending more to get around during the third quarter.
Miscellaneous Goods and Services See an Uptick
The Miscellaneous Goods and Services category, which includes items like insurance and social protection, recorded a 2.26% increase. The report identifies higher costs related to social protection as a key factor contributing to this rise.
Food and Beverage Prices Edge Up Slightly
Prices in the Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages category increased by a minimal 0.10%. This very slight change was influenced by minor price increases in vegetables. Shoppers likely did not notice a major difference in their grocery bills during this period.
How Q3 2025 Compares to Q3 2024
Analyzing the year-on-year changes for these major categories provides deeper insight into economic pressures over the last 12 months.
- Housing, Water and Energy: This category decreased by 0.29% compared to Q3 2024. The decline was attributed to lower costs for electricity, gas, water, and home maintenance.
- Transport: A significant 5.43% increase was recorded in this category over the year. This was strongly influenced by higher prices for passenger air transport, making travel more expensive than it was in 2024.
- Miscellaneous Goods and Services: This area saw a 3.80% increase, largely due to upward price movements in life insurance policies.
- Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages: Food costs rose by 2.31% compared to the previous year, with notable price pressures observed specifically in meat products.
What This Means for You
The latest CPI report paints a picture of a stable economy in Sint Maarten. While transportation costs, particularly for fuel and air travel, have increased, these have been partly offset by lower utility bills. The overall inflation rate remains modest, which means your money has largely maintained its purchasing power over the last quarter and year.
The Department of Statistics continues to monitor these trends to provide clear, reliable information on the health of our economy. Understanding these shifts helps residents, business owners, and policymakers make informed decisions.
ENNIA Celebrates Successful First Year Post-Restructuring.
WILLEMSTAD:--- Insurance provider ENNIA is reflecting positively on 2025, marking its first year of operations as a restructured legal entity under the same trusted brand. According to the company’s management, the restructuring process initiated at the start of 2025 exceeded expectations, achieving and surpassing its recovery goals.
While the final financial results are still pending audit and approval, ENNIA anticipates reporting favorable outcomes in its annual financial statements, scheduled for release in April 2026. The company views 2025 as a pivotal year in its recovery journey, emphasizing efforts to rebuild trust, enhance transparency, and solidify its market position.
Encouraging Progress
CEO Lesley Ann Brodie described the initial results as highly encouraging. She highlighted ENNIA’s ongoing commitment to investing in its workforce, fostering innovation, and strengthening customer relationships. These efforts aim to ensure the company’s sustainable growth in an ever-evolving market landscape.
High Court Advisory: Buncamper Corruption Convictions to Stand in Landmark Caribbean Case.
THE HAGUE / PHILIPSBURG:--- In a decisive step toward concluding a major Caribbean corruption scandal, the Advocate General of the High Court has advised that the convictions of former high-ranking Sint Maarten official Claudius Buncamper and his wife, Maria Buncamper-Molanus, for bribery and forgery should be upheld. This recommendation reinforces earlier court rulings and marks a significant moment for justice and public accountability in the region.
The case, which emerged from the extensive "Ruby" investigation launched in 2018, exposed a sophisticated network of corruption centered on the manipulation of public contracts and the misuse of government funds for personal enrichment. The Advocate General’s conclusion, published on January 13, 2026, systematically dismantled the defense's appeals, paving the way for the Supreme Court's final judgment, expected on March 24.
A Sophisticated Scheme of Bribery and Deceit
At the core of the scandal was the public tender for the management of the Sint Maarten landfill, known locally as the "Dump." Claudius Buncamper, then the Head of Infrastructure Management at the Ministry of VROMI (Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment, and Infrastructure), abused his authority to ensure a specific company was awarded the lucrative contract.
Court documents reveal that Buncamper and his wife did not merely accept bribes; they orchestrated the entire scheme. They provided insider information and actively helped draft the winning bidder’s tender documents. Digital forensics proved crucial, with metadata from Word files showing Maria Buncamper-Molanus’s user account as the "creator" of key documents.
In exchange for this illegal assistance, the Buncampers demanded substantial kickbacks. These were channeled through seemingly legitimate business dealings. The winning company was coerced into hiring Maria’s administrative services firm at inflated prices and employing their son, who reportedly collected a salary despite rarely showing up for work.
Falsified Invoices and Public Funds
The corruption extended beyond the landfill tender. The "Ruby" investigation also uncovered a long-running fraud where Claudius Buncamper had private expenses paid for by the government. These costs, which included home security systems and personal renovations, were funneled through a third-party contractor managing the island’s sewage treatment plant.
To conceal the fraud, invoices were systematically altered to appear as legitimate expenses related to the sewage plant. These falsified documents were then submitted to the Ministry of VROMI and paid out from a provisional budget post, effectively causing taxpayers to unknowingly fund the Buncampers' private expenditures.
Judicial Outcome and Implications
While the Advocate General advised upholding the convictions, a minor sentence reduction was recommended due to the lengthy duration of the legal proceedings. The original sentences handed down by the Joint Court of Justice were severe:
- Claudius Buncamper: Sentenced to 32 months in prison and a seven-year ban from holding any public office.
- Maria Buncamper-Molanus: Received a 12-month suspended prison sentence and was ordered to perform 210 hours of community service for her role as a co-perpetrator.
The defense's argument that the lower courts had wrongfully reached their convictions was dismissed. The Advocate General found the evidence compelling and the court's reasoning "not incomprehensible," highlighting the strength of the prosecution's case.
This landmark case sends a powerful message about public integrity and the rule of law in the Dutch Caribbean. It demonstrates that even complex, high-level corruption can be unraveled through diligent investigation and the power of digital evidence. The convictions stand as a critical precedent, reinforcing that public officials who betray their trust for personal gain will be held accountable.
Click the links below for the advice.
https://deeplink.rechtspraak.nl/uitspraak?id=ECLI:NL:PHR:2026:59;
https://deeplink.rechtspraak.nl/uitspraak?id=ECLI:NL:PHR:2026:58