~Proposed legislation would establish rules governing where road funds are placed, how projects are selected, and how public money is spent.~
PHILIPSBURG:--- National Alliance Member of Parliament Darryl York says his draft initiative law aimed at strengthening Sint Maarten’s road infrastructure is advancing through Parliament’s internal review process, with the proposal seeking to address not only the availability of money for roadworks but also how that money is managed, spent and accounted for.
York said the draft law was submitted more than a month ago and is intended to create a more structured and transparent approach to financing the country’s road infrastructure.
The MP explained during an interview on the Breakfast Lounge with Lady Grace that the proposal is not yet at the stage where the Ministry of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure (VROMI) is required to implement or enforce it.
According to York, the draft must first pass through Parliament’s Secretariat and legal review before being forwarded to the country’s advisory bodies. The relevant ministry would subsequently be asked to provide its feedback as part of the legislative process.
“The first step was the parliamentary process. Parliament, being the Secretariat and Parliament’s lawyers, goes over it first,” York explained. “Upon passing that check, it then goes on to the higher councils, the Council of Advice, et cetera. After that, that is when the ministry would get involved and their feedback would be sought.”
York said the initial parliamentary review was expected to be completed shortly, after which the draft could move to the next stage.
He rejected the suggestion that the initiative had been submitted only to disappear into the legislative system without further action, stating that the proposal is moving through the required process.
More than establishing a fund
The MP said the proposal should not be viewed simply as an attempt to place more money into a fund for road repairs. He argued that Sint Maarten faces two connected problems: obtaining sufficient financing for infrastructure and ensuring that available money is spent properly.
“The law is not only about where the money should go before it is executed, but how it is executed,” York said.
He stressed that providing additional financing does not automatically produce better roads if there are no clear rules governing project selection, execution, supervision and accountability.
“Giving someone more money does not necessarily mean it is going to be spent in the correct manner,” he said. “One problem Sint Maarten has is available funds, but the second problem is how you spend it once you have it.”
According to York, the draft therefore deals with the handling and execution of infrastructure funds as well as transparency surrounding expenditure. He said more details will be made public as the proposal advances through Parliament.
The initiative comes amid long-standing public complaints about deteriorating roads, potholes, drainage problems, delayed repairs and the absence of a consistent island-wide maintenance programme.
While York spoke about the intended objectives of the proposed legislation, the interview did not identify a specific recurring revenue source, state how much money would initially be placed in the fund or explain precisely which taxes, fees or government revenues would finance it.
Those questions are expected to become central once the full draft and its explanatory memorandum are considered publicly.
Funding remains the central question
The proposal’s success will ultimately depend on whether it identifies a dependable source of financing and prevents infrastructure money from being redirected to unrelated government expenses.
A dedicated fund can create financial continuity, but its effectiveness would depend on the legal safeguards governing it. Parliament will have to determine who controls the fund, what expenses qualify, how projects are prioritized and what reporting requirements will apply.
The draft will also have to clarify whether funds can be used only for repairing existing roads or also for constructing new roads, improving drainage, installing sidewalks, stabilizing hillsides and carrying out other infrastructure projects.
Other important issues include whether spending plans will be published, whether contracts and project costs will be disclosed, and whether unused money will remain in the fund at the end of each financial year.
The role of VROMI will also have to be clearly defined. While the ministry is responsible for public infrastructure, Parliament must examine whether the proposed system would strengthen the ministry’s ability to plan and execute roadworks or create an additional administrative structure.
Broader Questions About Government Spending
York linked the need for greater infrastructure transparency to wider concerns about the country’s finances.
During the interview, he questioned how government could report financial surpluses while contractors remained unpaid and essential projects were delayed. He also called for a long-term plan to address outstanding government debts before new expenditures are announced.
York argued that government must account for projects previously included in national budgets but not carried out.
“If you did not do it, what happened to the money? Because money was budgeted for that,” he said.
That same demand for accountability appears to form part of the thinking behind his road fund proposal: it is not enough to budget money for infrastructure; government must also demonstrate how the funds were used and what the country received in return.
The proposal remains a draft initiative law and has not yet been approved by Parliament. It must complete the legal and advisory stages before it can be debated, amended and put to a vote.
If ultimately adopted, the legislation could establish a permanent framework for financing road infrastructure. However, its true impact will depend on the funding mechanism, transparency requirements and enforcement provisions contained in the final text.