PHILIPSBURG:---  Soon it will be fifteen years since the landmark date of October 10, 2010. It was a moment heralded as the dawn of a new era, filled with promises of autonomy, progress, and prosperity. Today, as we look around, we are forced to ask a difficult question: What do we have to show for it? The answer, unfortunately, is a landscape defined by stagnation, crumbling infrastructure, and squandered potential.

Year after year, massive budgets are funneled to the nation's leadership. The Parliament alone is allocated an astonishing 7.3 million guilders each year, with an additional 3 million guilders tacked on for so-called "associated costs." Digging deeper, the breakdown is even more appalling: of these sums, a staggering 1.7 million guilders is blown on rent. The remainder is absorbed by hefty salaries, frequent travel, and assorted perks—money that should have transformed the country but has instead evaporated, leaving no visible advancements for the people it was meant to serve.

The evidence of this failure is not hidden in complex financial reports; it is in plain sight. Consider the ambitious project of a new Parliament building. For years, it was presented as a symbol of our new status, a beacon of modern governance. Where does it stand today? The idea has all but vanished, a forgotten promise buried under layers of political inaction and questionable priorities. Similarly, the infamous "bridge to nowhere" stands as a monument to mismanagement—a costly structure that serves no practical purpose, symbolizing a government that has lost its way.

This lack of progress extends far beyond symbolic projects. It seeps into the very foundations of our daily lives. Our infrastructure is in a state of alarming decay. Roads are riddled with potholes, public spaces are neglected, and essential services are faltering. The institutions we depend on are in jeopardy. Our national telecommunication company struggles to keep pace, leaving us with unreliable connectivity in an increasingly digital world. GEBE, the national utility company responsible for our power and water, faces immense challenges, threatening the stability of services that every citizen and business relies upon.

How can a nation with such substantial financial resources find itself in this position? The issue is not a lack of funds, but a profound lack of accountability and vision. Resources are mismanaged, priorities are misplaced, and the gap between political rhetoric and tangible results continues to widen each year. While budgets are approved and funds are spent, the quality of life for the average citizen shows little improvement. We are paying for progress but receiving neglect.

The time for passive observation is over. Fifteen years of stagnation is a record of failure that can no longer be accepted. The citizens must demand more. They need transparency in how every guilder of public money is spent. They need accountability from their leaders for the projects they promise and fail to deliver. Mosly they need a fundamental reform that shifts the focus from political self-preservation to genuine national development.

Let us reclaim the promise of 10/10/10. It is time to demand a government that builds not just bridges to nowhere, but pathways to a better future for all.

PHILIPSBURG: --- While St. Maarten’s leadership paints a dazzling picture of an AI-powered future, the people they govern are left to navigate a grim reality of neglect and decay. In a stunning display of misplaced priorities, the government champions "digital trust" and a "National AI Strategy" while its own officials embark on lavish, globe-trotting excursions. This stark contradiction exposes leadership more interested in buzzwords and per diems than in fixing the nation's crumbling foundations.

On one hand, we are told that Artificial Intelligence is the panacea for all our problems. Governor Ajamu G. Baly’s recent address was filled with grand promises of digitalization and data-driven efficiency. This was swiftly followed by the Chair of Parliament, Sarah Wescot-Williams, declaring AI the theme for the new parliamentary year. They speak of transparency, of modernizing education with AI, and of building a high-tech paradise.

On the other hand, the actions of this same government tell a far more cynical story. Ministers, cabinet members, and parliamentarians are frequently on a traveling spree, jetting off to far-flung destinations for questionable meetings. These trips, like a one-day conference across the continent in Ghana, serve little purpose beyond allowing officials to pocket generous per diems and enjoy the perks of office. This wasteful spending is a slap in the face to every citizen who put them in power.

While our leaders discuss AI strategies in foreign lands, our children sit in inadequate classrooms where teachers are underpaid and overworked. The "National AI in Education Policy" is a cruel joke when the government fails to ensure that schools have basic resources, proper ventilation, or even enough staff. An algorithm cannot teach a child when the roof is leaking, and the teacher hasn't been properly compensated for months.

The hypocrisy runs deepest in the justice ministry. The Governor’s speech admitted to significant pressure on the justice chain, yet staffing shortages cripple every level of the system. Police officers lack resources, the prison is a humanitarian crisis, and the nation faces international shame for its failure to combat money laundering. Instead of addressing these critical shortfalls, the government prioritizes digital distractions and international photo opportunities.

The message from our government is clear: they offer the people digital bread and circuses while they feast on taxpayer-funded travel. This obsession with a futuristic image is a deliberate attempt to mask a profound failure in basic governance. The people of St Maarten do not need a national AI strategy; they need functional schools, a working justice system, and leaders who stay home long enough to solve real-world problems. Until this government grounds its ambitions in reality and serves the people it was elected to represent, all talk of a digital revolution is nothing more than an empty, expensive promise.

PHILIPSBURG: --- St. Maarten is in the midst of a construction boom of historic proportions. Cranes dot the skyline, and new buildings are rising at an unprecedented rate. This surge in development signals a period of remarkable economic resilience and recovery. However, as Governor Ajamu Baly highlighted in his address to Parliament, this rapid growth brings a complex set of challenges that test the island's infrastructure, environment, and long-term sustainability. The key question now is how St. Maarten can manage this boom to ensure it builds a stronger, more resilient future for all its residents.

The Scale of the Boom: A 147% Surge

The numbers behind St Maarten's construction growth are staggering. According to Governor Baly's address, the sector's value has soared from 30 million Caribbean Guilders in 2014 to 74.3 million in 2023. This represents an incredible increase of over 147% in less than a decade.

This expansion has propelled the construction sector to become the second-largest contributor to the nation's GDP, surpassed only by accommodation and food services. It is a clear indicator of a recovering and vibrant economy, further supported by an overall GDP growth of 3.4% in 2023 and projected growth of 2.4% for 2025. This activity, coupled with a surge in real estate transactions reaching 348.7 million Caribbean Guilders in 2023, paints a picture of a nation on the move.

However, this rapid growth is not without consequences. The very engine of St. Maarten's prosperity is placing immense pressure on its foundations.

The Strain on Infrastructure and Planning

The construction boom has amplified existing vulnerabilities in St Maarten's infrastructure. With a population density of 1,180 people per square kilometer, St Maarten is the most densely populated country in the Caribbean and the Kingdom of the Netherlands. This density, combined with the island's hilly terrain, creates significant challenges for spatial planning and public services.

Infrastructure Under Pressure

In his address, Governor Baly pointed to concerning trends of disinvestment over the past decade in critical areas like water supply, sewage, and waste management. While the economy has been growing, the infrastructure meant to support it has lagged behind. Key areas of concern include:

• Drainage and Flood Mitigation: Increased development often leads to more non-porous surfaces like concrete and asphalt, which can worsen flooding. Strengthening drainage capacity is now a top government priority.

• Waste Management: The island’s landfill is under severe strain. The government currently spends only 0.5% of its budget on landfill management, a figure described as "woefully inadequate." This poses a direct threat to public health and the environment.

• Affordable Housing: The real estate surge, while economically beneficial, has made it harder for many residents to find affordable housing. This is a growing social concern that the government is aiming to address.

The Need for Sustainable Spatial Planning

The boom has exposed gaps in the nation's approach to development. Without robust zoning and land use policies, growth can become haphazard, threatening the very natural beauty that draws tourists and supports the economy. The government has recognized this and finalized proposals for spatial economic planning, a new land issuance policy, and updated zoning regulations. This new framework aims to create a more sustainable balance between development and environmental protection.

The Government's Blueprint for a Sustainable Future

To manage the effects of the construction boom, the government has outlined a multi-faceted strategy focused on reform, collaboration, and environmental stewardship. This plan acknowledges that building more is not enough; Sint Maarten must build smarter.

Modernizing and Collaborating

A major challenge highlighted by the Governor is that the organizational capacity of government departments has not kept pace with the 147% growth in construction. To address this, the government is pursuing two key initiatives:

1. Re-evaluation and Digitalization: A formal request will be submitted to re-evaluate the organizational structure supporting the construction sector. Efficiency will be enhanced through digitalization, streamlining processes, and reducing bottlenecks.

2. Interministerial Collaboration: Recognizing that these challenges span multiple departments, the government is promoting greater collaboration among ministries. This ensures a more cohesive approach to planning, regulation, and enforcement.

Protecting the Environment

Central to the new approach is a renewed focus on environmental protection. The government is advancing its Nature Policy Plan and developing zoning frameworks for ecologically sensitive areas. These plans will incorporate scientific studies on coastal erosion and landslide risks to guide future development.

A revolutionary concept introduced by Governor Baly is treating ecosystems as infrastructure. A 2025 Coastal Resilience Assessment found that restoring coral reefs could reduce future hurricane damage by up to two-thirds, resulting in savings of over USD 200 million. This reframes environmental protection not as a cost, but as a critical investment in the nation's financial and physical security.

Initiatives to manage sargassum and a draft law for a "Plastic Free St. Maarten" further demonstrate a commitment to preserving the island's natural resources.

Building a Resilient and Prosperous Sint Maarten

The construction boom in Sint Maarten is a double-edged sword. It is a powerful driver of economic growth and a symbol of the nation's resilience. At the same time, it is a stress test for the island's infrastructure, social fabric, and natural environment.

The government's response, as outlined by Governor Baly, shows a clear understanding of these complex dynamics. By prioritizing sustainable financial policies, modernizing its administrative capacity, and embedding environmental protection into its economic strategy, Sint Maarten is laying the groundwork to turn the challenges of today into the opportunities of tomorrow.

The path forward requires careful management, strategic investment, and a collective commitment to balancing growth with sustainability. If successful, Sint Maarten will not only have new buildings to show for its boom but also a stronger, more resilient, and prosperous nation for generations to come.

PHILIPSBURG:--- On September 9, 2025, His Excellency Governor Ajamu G. Baly delivered a sobering address for the opening of the new parliamentary year, laying bare the significant challenges threatening public safety and the rule of law in Sint Maarten. While the speech covered a broad range of governmental policies, its frank assessment of the justice system revealed a sector under immense pressure, grappling with systemic failures that demand immediate and decisive action.

Prison System at a Breaking Point

One of the most alarming points raised by the Governor was the state of the prison system. He described a justice chain under "significant pressure," primarily due to a severe shortage of detention capacity and an insufficient number of prison guards. This critical situation directly impacts public safety and poses a real risk of undoing any positive developments achieved elsewhere.

While progress is being made on the construction of a new correctional facility, the benefits are medium to long-term. The immediate crisis remains. The Governor stressed that without urgent measures, the current situation is unsustainable, signaling that the government is in advanced discussions with Kingdom partners to find a remedy.

Law Enforcement and Border Control Gaps

The challenges extend to the Sint Maarten Police Force (KPSM) and the Immigration and Border Protection Services (IBPS). While investments are planned for new police vehicles and facility refurbishments, the Governor emphasized that enforcement alone are not enough. He called for greater interministerial cooperation to tackle complex issues like youth crime and the exploitation of labor laws, acknowledging that these problems require a coordinated response.

A significant vulnerability highlighted was the continued absence of legislation for Passenger Name Record (PNR) and Advance Passenger Information (API) data. This gap critically hinders the full implementation of automated border control, weakening the nation's ability to monitor who is entering and leaving. This legislative delay directly impacts on national security and the efficiency of border management.

The Fight Against Organized Crime and Human Trafficking

The Governor’s address also shed light on the nation's struggle against organized crime and human trafficking. The mutual evaluation report from the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) delivered unfavorable results, assessing Sint Maarten as having "low effectiveness" in combating money laundering and terrorism financing. This raises the serious risk of the country being placed on a list of jurisdictions under increased monitoring, which could have severe economic consequences.

On a related front, efforts to combat human trafficking are being strengthened with the reinstatement of the anti-trafficking bureau, now named the National Reporting Center (NRC). This initiative aims to improve coordination and move Sint Maarten from Tier 3 to Tier 2 in the U.S. Trafficking in Persons Report. However, the effectiveness of these measures relies on a fully functional and well-resourced justice chain.

A Call for Urgent, Collaborative Reform

Throughout his speech, Governor Baly underscored that these are not isolated issues but interconnected failures within the broader justice system. From inadequate prison facilities and legislative gaps in border control to deficiencies in combating financial crime, the message was clear: the system is failing to keep pace with the nation's needs.

The Governor’s call to action was unequivocal. He urged for decisive action, structural reforms, and enhanced cooperation between ministries and with civil society. Addressing these deep-seated justice failures is not just a matter of policy—it is essential for ensuring public safety, maintaining social stability, and upholding the rule of law in Sint Maarten. The time for discussion is over; the time for committed action is now.