St. Martin News Network - St. Maarten

Cft: “Further enhancement of financial management is needed.

cftbes26022026 Kralendijk:--- On February 23, 2026, the Board of Financial Supervision of Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba (Cft) visited Bonaire. During this visit, the management of government entities was the focal point. The Cft urges Bonaire to determine and implement an official policy aimed at government entities. Furthermore, Bonaire must invest in lasting improvements to financial management and prioritize strengthening executive capacity within the organization.

Government entities: from note to implementation
Not everything is in order at Bonaire’s government companies, which is illustrated by the persistent issues at Selibon and Tourism Corporation Bonaire. Therefore, work is currently carried out based on an internal policy note aimed at improving the management of government entities. The Cft recognizes this is a good first step. Bonaire must further elaborate on this and convert it into official policy determined by the Executive Council in consultation with the Island Council. In that context, it is important to implement safeguards to ensure that the appointment of members of the directions and Supervisory Boards takes place in an independent manner. In doing so, a clear and verifiable framework is created for the management of government entities. “Good policy for government entities is the basis for clear accountability of public resources for public tasks”, states the Cft. Furthermore, it helps to enhance Bonaire’s executive capacity. The Cft urges the Executive Council to establish and implement such a policy in the short term.

Financial management
The Cft again draws attention to financial management. Over the past years, Bonaire has taken important steps in the improvement of financial management. From late 2024 to mid 2025, the Cft observed a decline, but since then, the upward trend has resumed. Further and lasting enhancement of financial management still remains necessary, now that it has become clear that Bonaire substantially increased its 2025 budget towards the end of the year, while still closing the year with under-realization. Furthermore, 2025 was also closed with a preliminary deficit, without any further explanation.

Earlier, the Executive Council promised to take specific measures to enhance the quality of budget and financial management, in order to be able to adjust the implementation of the budget at an earlier stage. This is not only important for the regular budget, but even more so for the special benefits, many of which are close to expiring and may even be recovered. During its most recent trip, the Board stated that Bonaire must become more in control.

The Cft will closely monitor these promises made regarding the measures for the enhancement of financial management. The Executive Council has promised that these will lead to improvements as early as in April of this year.

Armed Robbery and Cole Bay Supermarket.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Police Force of Sint Maarten (KPSM) is currently investigating an armed robbery that occurred this morning, Thursday, February 26th, 2026, at approximately 11:20 AM. The incident took place at the Public Supermarket located on Aaron Jacobs Drive.
According to preliminary reports, an armed individual entered the establishment and demanded the daily earnings from the cash register. After securing an undisclosed amount of cash, the suspect fled the scene on foot in an unknown direction. Police patrols were immediately dispatched to the area to conduct a search; however, the suspect remains at large.
The investigation into this continues. The KPSM urges anyone with information regarding this robbery to contact the police station or the anonymous tip line.

Chain Robber apprehended.

arrestedfillin26092014 PHILIPSBURG:--- On Sunday, the 22nd of February 2026, the Police Force of Sint Maarten (KPSM) responded to a report of an armed robbery in the Simpson Bay area. The victim reported that he was robbed of his chains. Following an investigation by the Armed Robbery Unit division, S.A.E. was arrested on February 25th, 2026. The suspect remains in custody as the investigation continues.

Traffic Advisory- Gospel Parade.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Police Force of Sint Maarten (KPSM) wishes to inform the general public regarding an upcoming Gospel Parade scheduled for tomorrow evening, February 27th, 2026, starting at 6:30 PM – 9.30 PM. To ensure the safety of participants and smooth traffic flow, motorists should take note of the following details:

Parade Route:

Start: Methodist Church (Union Road, Cole Bay)
Path: Union Road - Causeway Bridge - Airport Road Roundabout - Airport Road - Welfare Road - Kruijthoff Roundabout.
End: Returning via Union Road to the Methodist Church.

Motorist Advisory

Officers will be present to assist with traffic management. Motorists using these roads between 6:30 PM and 9:30 PM a…

MP Doran Raises Concerns About Sanitary Conditions in Public Schools.

jurendydoran2602026 PHILIPSBURG:--- Member of Parliament Egbert J. Doran has raised serious concerns about the current sanitary and operational conditions in several public schools, following reports from teachers and parents about shortages of basic supplies.

According to the MP, schools are facing a lack of essential hygiene items such as toilet paper, soap, sanitizer, paper towels, and garbage bags. In addition, some schools are reportedly dealing with shortages of printer ink and non-functioning copy machines, limiting teachers’ ability to properly prepare and distribute worksheets, tests, and other instructional materials.

Doran emphasized that teachers already carry a heavy burden, often purchasing classroom materials out of their own pockets at the start of the school year to ensure their students have what they need. The possibility that educators may now also feel pressured to cover hygiene products and printing supplies, he said, is deeply troubling.

“We cannot expect teachers to fund the system,” Doran stated. “They are hired to educate, not to supply basic operations. When essentials are missing, it affects health, dignity, and the quality of instruction.”

The MP has also pointed to Minister Gumbs’s current strict enforcement of donation policies affecting public schools. While acknowledging the importance of transparency and accountability, Doran noted that the present approach may hinder timely community support.

“In a moment where schools are short on basic, urgent items, there must be reasonable flexibility,” he said. “No one is asking to bypass rules, but there should be practical leeway to allow schools to accept desperately needed supplies quickly and responsibly.”

The NA, UP and NOW factions have formally requested an urgent public meeting of Parliament with the Minister of ECYS, the Honorable Melissa Gumbs, to seek clarity on the extent of the shortages and the measures being taken to correct them.

He stressed that swift action is necessary to prevent the situation from escalating further.

“Our children deserve safe, clean, fully functional schools,” Doran said. “Basic standards must be guaranteed, not negotiated.”