PHILIPSBURG:---  The  six opposition Members of Parliament are taking a firm stand against the government, demanding answers over the handling of the Soul Beach Music Festival. The lawmakers are raising serious concerns about financial mismanagement, a severe lack of transparency, and a deeply flawed Social Economic Council (SER) report used to justify the event's expenses.

The core of the dispute centers on the government's commitment of $500,000 in public funds to the festival without prior parliamentary approval or proper budgetary allocation. For the opposition, this move represents a blatant breach of financial protocol, especially at a time when essential services are struggling to secure funding.

MP Omar Ottley did not mince words when addressing the unauthorized spending. "The issue for me is a misappropriation of funds, of the people's funds," Ottley stated. "We cannot allow such financial mismanagement to go unchecked."

While the lawmakers do not oppose economic development or tourism initiatives, they argue the execution of this specific event crossed legal boundaries. MP Francisco Lacroes expressed support for the concept of the festival but condemned the government's approach. "Soul Beach was a brilliant idea. Bring it back," Lacroes noted. "But it was poorly executed, and the financial handling was unacceptable."

A Questionable SER Report

To justify the heavy expenditure, the government pointed to an SER report that claimed an "upper bound estimate" of $7.2 million in economic impact. However, the opposition MPs quickly pointed out a glaring conflict of interest: the report's conclusions relied heavily on data provided directly by the festival organizers.

MP Ardwell Irion sharply criticized this methodology. "An independent report cannot be based on data given by the person you are auditing," Irion argued. "This is not transparency; this is manipulation."

Adding to the skepticism, lawmakers questioned the validity of the reported visitor numbers, noting the absence of any outside verification. MP Darryl York challenged the government to prove the success of the event with hard facts. "How can we validate the attendance figures?" York asked. "Why was there no independent audit or third-party verification of the visitor numbers?"

Eroding Public Trust

Beyond the immediate financial concerns, the opposition warns that bypassing established laws sets a dangerous precedent for the country. Bypassing Parliament for a half-million-dollar payout signals a breakdown in standard governance.

MP Egbert Doran highlighted the broader impact of these actions on the country's leadership. "The continuous disregard for financial and budgetary rules undermines public confidence in government and damages our credibility," Doran explained.

The lawmakers are now demanding the immediate release of all documents related to the event, including financial agreements, evaluations, and correspondence concerning the subsidy. They insist that the government must answer for its actions and restore proper procedures.

Summing up the coalition's demands, MP Lyndon Lewis emphasized the need for basic administrative honesty. "The people of St. Maarten deserve a government that respects the rule of law and manages public funds with the utmost integrity," Lewis declared.

The opposition promises to keep pressing the issue until the government provides full transparency regarding the Soul Beach Music Festival and commits to following the law for all future public spending.

PHILIPSBURG:--- “No matter how powerful the prison, every prison has a door.” Author, resilience expert, speaker, and entrepreneur Shaka Senghor, a formerly incarcerated man, has transformed his life and now inspires others through his latest book, “How to Be Free: A Proven Guide to Escaping Life’s Hidden Prisons”.
In this deeply personal work, Senghor reflects on his journey, dedicating the book not only to the family and supporters who stood by him but also to every version of himself, from the boy nicknamed “Pumpkin,” to the teenager “Jay,” to nineteen-year-old James White, who entered prison, to the man who emerged into the light as Shaka Senghor.
The book aligns with the Art Saves Lives Foundation’s mission by empowering youth and community members to confront challenges and overcome life’s hidden prisons.” The Sint Maarten Library has gratefully received 24 donated copies from Art Saves Lives Foundation, and we are proud to include them in our collection for the benefit of the entire community.
“This book brought me joy. It helped me confront and uproot my own hidden prisons,” Senghor shares. “I have earned this joy. I have earned the right to thrive.” His story underscores themes of survival, growth, and reclaiming one’s life from trauma and adversity, inspiring readers to honor their own journeys.
About Shaka Senghor
Shaka Senghor is a bestselling author, activist, and educator who transforms his experiences with incarceration and personal struggle into lessons on leadership, resilience, and redemption.
By joining this initiative, the Sint Maarten Library invests in the community’s potential enriching resources, fostering empathy, sparking dialogue, and promoting personal and educational growth.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The National Recovery Program Bureau (NRPB) has opened the procurement process for the construction of a new mental health facility in Sint Maarten under the Trust Fund’s Improving Mental Health Services Project (MHP). The tender was published on March 5, 2026. The project supports the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development, and Labor (VSA) in strengthening mental health services in Sint Maarten.

Contractors and subcontractors are encouraged and invited to participate in this tender process for the Mental Health Building Infrastructure Works.

The new facility will be developed in St. Johns and provide a safe and welcoming care center for mental health services. It will support day treatment, crisis intervention, inpatient and outpatient care, and have office space for mental health professionals.

A total of $14 million has been secured for the development of the facility, supporting design, construction, landscaping, furniture, equipment, and project management. The Government of Sint Maarten has secured $8 million in counterpart funding to support construction, alongside $6 million allocated through the Mental Health Project under the Sint Maarten Trust Fund.

Contractors and subcontractors in Sint Maarten can participate in the bidding process independently or in collaboration with other local or international companies via joint ventures or subcontracting. The evaluation process considers both technical (55%) and prize factors (45%).

Interested bidders can take part in a site visit on Monday 30th, March at 9 AM. The next day, on Tuesday, March 31st at 10 AM, an online pre-bid meeting will take place for questions.  All submissions must be made electronically through the NRPB Bonfire procurement portal: https://nrpbsxm.bonfirehub.com. Deadline for bids is Thursday, April 23, 2026, at 10:00 AM. The bids will be opened on the same day at 11:00 AM during an online meeting. Late bids will not be considered.

Bidding documents, submission instructions, and details on required documentation are available through the Bonfire procurement portal https://nrpbsxm.bonfirehub.com The NRPB will continue to share updates on the procurement process through its official communication channels.

The Improving Mental Health Project is implemented by the National Recovery Program Bureau in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development, and Labor (VSA) on behalf of the Government of Sint Maarten. It is funded by the Sint Maarten Trust Fund, financed by the Government of the Netherlands, and managed by the World Bank.

Modernizing Care. Empowering Community

PHILIPSBURG:--- In a blistering address to Parliament, Member of Parliament Lyndon Lewis has once again sounded the alarm over what is described as gross incompetence and a severe lack of attention from the Minister of VROMI. The MP’s pointed statements paint a grim picture of a department in disarray, with deteriorating infrastructure and mounting problems at the local dump taking center stage. The accusations highlight a troubling pattern of irresponsiveness and demand immediate accountability.

MP Lyndon Lewis did not mince words, following up on previous statements regarding the "unacceptable condition of our roads and a clear lack of development." The frustration was palpable as the MP described a government official seemingly asleep at the wheel while citizens suffer. "On a daily basis, I continue to receive overwhelming reports pertaining to the deteriorating state of our infrastructure," Lewis stated, channeling the growing public anger.

The criticism intensified, pointing directly to the Minister's perceived indifference. "What is even more troubling is the apparent lack of urgency and understanding," MP Lyndon Lewis declared, expressing disbelief that the Minister continues to operate without addressing these critical failures. This lack of action raises serious questions about the administration's priorities and its commitment to serving the public.

Beyond the crumbling roads, a significant part of the MP's condemnation focused on the mismanagement of the public dump. According to MP Lyndon Lewis, the situation has become dire, with reports of "a set of garbage and apparently equipment that was also requested to be serviced on time is not serviced." This operational failure points to potential contractual irregularities and a complete breakdown in oversight. "I would like to know who really got a contract to keep the dump in order," Lewis demanded, calling for transparency on who is being paid to manage the facility and why they are failing so spectacularly.

The core of the issue, as presented by MP Lyndon Lewis, is the Minister's persistent inattentiveness. The failure to maintain essential equipment and manage waste disposal effectively is a direct consequence of this neglect. MP Lyndon Lewis expressed a sentiment likely shared by many constituents, stating plainly, "I am tired and I'm sick of it and something needs to be done immediately pertaining to the lack of attention coming from the Minister of VROMI."

Adding to the list of grievances, the MP revealed that formal attempts to get answers have been ignored. "We also send questions. We're still waiting for answers from him as well," MP Lyndon Lewis told Parliament. This refusal to engage or provide information only deepens the suspicion of mismanagement and erodes public trust.

The impassioned statements from MP Lyndon Lewis serve as a powerful indictment of the current situation. They are not merely complaints but a desperate call for action. The public is left to wonder: with roads falling apart and garbage piling high, where is the leadership? Who is being held accountable for this systemic failure? The Minister of VROMI has been put on notice, and the public now waits to see if these scathing critiques will finally spur the government into action.