PHILIPSBURG:--- The Ministry of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment, and Infrastructure (VROMI) would like to remind all citizens of their democratic right to review permits approved by the Ministry’s Permits Department.
As part of our commitment to transparency and public participation, we encourage residents to stay informed about developments in their community. Approved permits are published biweekly in the National Gazette, accessible through the Government’s official website.
To review these permits:
1. Visit www.sintmaartengov.org.
2. Scroll down to the "Government Services and Information" section.
3. Click on "Laws and Legislations."
4. Select the "National Gazette" and choose the Landscourant edition corresponding to the date you wish to review.
The Ministry would like to remind the public that citizens have a six-week period to submit objections to permits granted. Objections must be submitted in writing and addressed to the Ministry of VROMI.
We encourage everyone to exercise this right to ensure active participation in the decision-making process and the continued development of our nation.
For more information, please contact the Ministry of VROMI at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call us at 542-4292 ext 2413

PHILIPSBURG:---  The Honorable Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina, alongside the Minister of Finance Marinka Gumbs, convened a high-level meeting with the Supervisory Board and Management Team of Postal Services St. Maarten NV (PSS NV) on March 10, 2025. The meeting, held at the Government Administration Building, focused on strengthening PSS NV's financial sustainability and operational efficiency while exploring new avenues for innovation and growth.
Key topics discussed included the approval of the continuation of the Supervisory Board, securing a permanent home for PSS NV, addressing financial challenges, and enhancing mail delivery services. Discussions also covered security measures, improving government collaboration, and fostering better coordination with Customs to streamline postal operations.
A major highlight of the meeting was exploring a new business model to expand PSS NV’s services beyond traditional mail delivery. This includes the potential introduction of a possible Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Government and the travel agency services, the issuance of number plates and banking-related offerings, positioning PSS NV as a modern and dynamic institution catering to the evolving needs of the community.
Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring the long-term viability of PSS NV, stating:
"Postal services are an essential part of our country's infrastructure, and we must adapt to the changing times while ensuring efficiency and sustainability. This meeting reflects our dedication to strengthening PSS NV through strategic planning, enhanced collaboration, and the exploration of new opportunities to diversify its services. Our goal is to create a postal system that is modern, financially resilient, and capable of meeting the demands of the people of Sint Maarten."
The discussions also addressed the salary structure of PSS employees, the need for address updates, and the improvement of mail delivery coordination with VROMI. Security concerns were raised as a priority, with an emphasis on strengthening risk management protocols for the protection of employees, assets, and mail services.
Honorable Minister of Finance Marinka Gumbs added, "Having had the privilege of leading PSS NV as its Managing Director, I understand the challenges and opportunities that come with operating our postal service. PSS is more than just a mail delivery entity—it is a vital institution that connects our people, businesses, and government. Today’s discussions reaffirm our commitment to financial stability, operational efficiency, and innovative service expansion. With a clear vision and strategic action, we can transform PSS into a modern, self-sustaining entity that continues to serve Sint Maarten and our people."
As Sint Maarten continues to navigate economic and infrastructural challenges, this meeting marks a crucial step toward ensuring that PSS NV remains a reliable, innovative, and financially sound institution serving the people of Sint Maarten effectively.

PHILIPSBURG: --- Member of Parliament representing the National Alliance Ardwell Irion, who called the meeting on the issuance of casino and lotteries licenses, asked the Minister of TEATT Grisha Heyliger Marten several questions on the moratorium and its procedures.
Ardwell first informed the parliament of St. Maarten that the current coalition government does not have an approved and published budget for the year 2025 and their governing program has been released by the governing coalition.
The Member of Parliament said that because these things are not in place, it is difficult for members of parliament to say if this government intends to grant more casinos.
On the issuance of the casino to the owners of Port de Plaisance MP Ardwell asked the minister several questions regarding the issuance of the license. He informed the minister that it is not possible for any government to execute COVID-19 policies during a regular year. He also informed parliament that the former government never waived the total amount of fees from any businesses; however, fees for casinos were waived for the months they remained closed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ardwell asked the minister if the decision to issue the new license to Port de Plaisance was discussed prior to it being granted. He asked the Minister to provide a breakdown on the number of standalone casinos and how many are attached to hotels or resorts. The National Alliance Member of Parliament also asked the minister to provide parliament with the number of moratoriums enacted on St. Maarten and the procedures for opening and closing moratoriums.
Ardwell asked the Minister to provide parliament with the letter or letters that former ministers sent to the businessman promising him another casino license.
Member of Parliament Francisco Lacroes informed the parliament of St. Maarten that the United Peoples Party that his party is not against any type of business and, in this case, casinos. He asked the Minister to provide the statistics on the amount locals working in casinos, while he asked the minister to also provide parliament with the number of gambling addicts in St. Maarten and how many of them checked in at Turning Point.
Lacroes said he heard that the Minister always refers to wanting a pound of flesh, and he also wants to see from whom that pound of flesh will be taken.
Member of Parliament Omar Ottley also referred to the lack of a governing program and the fact that the Minister did not provide any presentation to the parliament of St. Maarten when the meeting started on Wednesday morning.
Ottley said that even though the Minister is now a member of the Democratic Party, he knows that she came from the UPP party, and back then, she supported economic growth and businesses on St. Maarten.
Ottley asked the Minister if the Port de Plaisance asked the Minister to provide parliament with the facts pertaining to the issuance of the new license and if Port de Plaisance meets the requirement as stipulated by law, which states that hotels and resorts must have 200 hotels rooms operational when the license was issued. Ottley also asked the Minister of TEATT if the businessman even has 65% of room operation,l as stated in the promissory letters.

Member of Parliament Lyndon Lewis asked if there are sufficient casino workers currently on duty to carry out inspections in all casinos during the designated time period.
Lewis asked the Minister to list how many casino controllers the Ministry TEATT currently employs.
He further asked the minister if she believed that the current number of casino controllers is sufficient to cover the shifts at each casino and ensure that locals are kept out.
He asked if the casino controllers were genuinely there to protect locals and ensure they complied with the laws regarding the number of times they could enter the casino.
The NOW Member of Parliament asked if there was a system or log-in place for the casino controllers to track local visitation to the casino.
Therefore, he wants the Minister to clarify what the tablets are being used for regarding the ones given to the department.
Lewis called on the TEATT Minister to explain to the public the difference between a stand-alone Casino and a Hotel Casino.

PHILIPSBURG: --- The understaffing of the Pointe Blanche Prison continues to affect the safety and security of the prison on St. Maarten.
The News has been informed that even though prisoners were locked in their cells on Saturday morning and not fed until midday, the institution is unable to get its guards back to work because many of them have taken sick leave to avoid the abuse and working in deplorable conditions.

Due to the short staffing, the prisoners are severely affected.
Relatives of the inmates said that many prisoners are ill at the prison, and they are unable to see the nurse because most days, the nurse does not report to work. Besides not being fed on Saturday or locked in their cells, it’s a daily struggle for the prisoners at the Pointe Blanche Prison.
SMN News understands that the ministry obtained evidence of the so-called sick guards moving around on the island and those who attended the Heineken Regatta while on sick leave (A/O).
According to information provided to SMN News, the guards have been working 12-hour shifts and are not adequately compensated. It is understood that some guards have been working at the Pointe Blanche Prison for over 20 years and have been waiting over 15 years for their scaling and proper salary. None of the guards at Pointe Blanche Prison received their Landsbesluit (LB). Minister of Justice Nathalie Tackling said these guards received their placement letters, but no payments have been arranged yet. The Minister said the LBs are being revised since many have made mistakes.
While the guards at Pointe Blanche Prison opted to take action, the workers of the entire Justice Ministry are in the same situation, continuing to await their LBs and payments.
While in office, Former Minister of Justice Anna Richardson managed to complete the Function Book and several batches of the LBs; former Minister of Justice Lyndon Lewis continued the process.
However, the current Minister of Justice, Nathalie Tackling, said that the LBs are being done on an individual basis.