MARIGOT:--- President Louis MUSSINGTON and First Vice-President Alain RICHARDSON addressed the media today to articulate the position of the Collectivité of Saint-Martin regarding the Beauperthuy estate. Recent revelations in the New York Times concerning the potential auction of three plots have spurred the Collectivité into action, as negotiations were already in progress with the judicial administrator for their acquisition.

President MUSSINGTON announced a peaceful protest scheduled for Saturday, April 20th, 2024, aimed at defending the centuries-old Saint-Martin heritage encompassing over 100 hectares. This demonstration underscores the Collectivité's commitment to continuing negotiations for the acquisition of this land.

Since 2023, the Collectivité has engaged in discussions with the judicial administrator to express its firm intention to acquire all plots, with the primary goal of safeguarding this invaluable land heritage and countering any potential real estate speculation.

President MUSSINGTON stated, "The Collectivité has consistently voiced its aspiration to acquire these plots to protect our land heritage and maintain social harmony within the territory. This matter was promptly communicated to the government upon assuming office, receiving their understanding and support."

Vice-President Alain RICHARDSON emphasized the deep attachment of the people of St Martin to their land, declaring, "The revelation of the auction of certain historic plots in the international press reflects the eagerness of the rights holders to expedite sales without regard for the Collectivité's proposal. Our community is deeply connected to our land, and we stand united to preserve this heritage."

Following months of diligent efforts, the Collectivité has secured confirmation from the Guadeloupe Land Establishment (EPF) regarding its ability to acquire the plots on behalf of the Collectivité. This follows a comprehensive land assessment conducted by the State's real estate department, facilitating a quantified proposal.

With this support, the Collectivité is resolved to pursue negotiations with the judicial administrator. The approach involves three key phases:

- Resuming negotiations for the acquisition of all plots.
- Proposing legislation at the territorial council on April 30th to enhance the right of preemption. This initiative aims to strengthen the legal framework by introducing statutory, urban and reinforced urban preemption rights and preemption rights for sensitive natural areas.
- A peaceful protest will be organized on Saturday, April 20th, to demonstrate the collective determination of the Collectivité and its inhabitants to safeguard these lands for future generations and deter real estate speculation.

President Louis MUSSINGTON emphasized the preference for an amicable resolution and appealed for the cancellation of the auction scheduled for May 13, 2024, to facilitate ongoing negotiations.

"By deliberately omitting to inform us of the auction, the elected officials and the institution's expressed will were disregarded. Nevertheless, our focus remains on dignified territorial planning and the preservation of these 100 hectares for posterity. This is the essence of our fight," remarked President MUSSINGTON.

He underscored the peaceful nature of the upcoming demonstration on April 20th and encouraged the entire population to participate in solidarity, emphasizing the collective responsibility to protect these lands.

PHILIPSBURG (DCOMM):--- The application process for the annual Hurricane Passes for the 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season, which starts June 1 and runs through November 30, will start on Monday, April 15.

There are two types of passes: the Disaster Pass and the Hurricane Pass. No passes will be issued to business owners, except for some exemption categories, as noted below.

The pass allows the bearer to access the public road to visit the place of business to assess possible damage to the property. No company passes will be accepted during curfew hours. This can only take place during certain hours that will be stipulated and announced by the Prime Minister in a curfew situation.

Potential applicants have until May 31 to present all relevant information related to the process of requesting a pass.

Disaster Passes are issued to the following crucial disaster relief organizations and are valid for three years. The disaster relief organization consists of the following: Emergency Operations Center staff, Emergency Support Functions (ESFs) staff, Crucial governmental organizations, and entities involved in disaster management such as medical institutions, general practitioners and pharmacies, Red Cross, WIEMS, White & Yellow Cross Foundation, National Security Service VDSM, Sea Rescue, Shelter Management, Ministers, and their drivers.

The following categories qualify for a Hurricane Pass, which is valid for two years: Essential Government personnel without a disaster pass; Essential personnel of crucial companies or organizations: NV GEBE, Seven Seas Water, Telecom and Internet providers, Princess Juliana International Airport, Port St. Maarten, Hotels and Guesthouses, Marinas, Fuel distributors, and gas stations, Commercial banks, Hardware stores, Security companies (supervisors only), Medium and large sized supermarkets, Restaurants (those providing food services to emergency services), Importers and Wholesale Companies for perishable goods (Only requests can be submitted for refrigeration and or generator technicians).

The crucial organizations as listed above (disaster & hurricane passes) can request personal passes for their key personnel.

The Office of Disaster Management that falls under the Ministry of General Affairs is handling the application process for the passes on behalf of the Prime Minister.

The Hurricane Pass is valid for the 2024 and 2025 hurricane seasons and will remain the property of the Government of Sint Maarten.

Please note that company passes will be accepted during curfew hours from the following institutions: Sint Maarten Medical Center, and White & Yellow Cross Foundation.

The pass system is a mechanism to maintain public order during emergency situations. The Prime Minister assesses the damage in conjunction with Emergency Disaster Management entities of the Government after a disaster has occurred and can impose a curfew if the extent of the damage poses a threat to the safety and security of the community.

An application form can be requested by sending an email to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Emails should include the following: Name of business or organization; A short description of activities of the business or the organization; Request for either disaster or hurricane pass.

When submitting the application, the following documents need to be attached:
- copy business license fee paid (or receipt) for 2024 for businesses.
- proof of 2024 registration at the Chamber of Commerce, for organizations.
- copy valid Sint Maarten ID-card of applicant.
- Nafl. 50,- in leges stamps per application (to be obtained at the Receiver’s Office or the Simpson Bay Public Service Center), this is a non-refundable handling fee; a copy of a digital payment transfer is accepted as well.
- One (1) passport picture for new applicants, to be sent in JPEG-format to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with the name of the person clearly indicated.

The application form has to be completed and submitted to the offices of the Fire Department & Disaster Management – in print form, to the attention of the secretary located at Jackal Road 5 (Office hours Monday-Friday 9.00AM to 4.00PM), Cay Hill, by May 31, 2024, with all necessary documents attached.

Applicants will be informed by email or telephone when to pick up the pass at the aforementioned address.

PHILIPSBURG:---In 2017, Hurricane Irma caused severe damage to the water tank located in Concordia. As a response, NV GEBE came up with a temporary solution to assist the affected communities. Since then, NV GEBE has been working tirelessly to provide temporary measures to serve the upper regions of South Reward. However, recognizing the need for a permanent solution, NV GEBE has announced the upcoming construction of a new water tank to better serve the Cul-de-Sac area communities.

After an extensive bidding process, Windward Roads NV has been selected as the contractor for this critical project. Representatives from NV GEBE and Windward Roads NV convened on-site on April 9th, 2024, to mark the commencement of construction. The project is slated to begin on the 1st of May 2024, with completion anticipated before the peak of the hurricane season.

The new water tank is manufactured, supplied, and will be installed by Florida Aquastore out of Florida. The entire tank’s technical design was done by both our local engineering company, Independent Consulting Engineering (ICE), and Florida Aquastore to withstand hurricane-force winds over Category 5 hurricane (200 mph), ensuring the resilience and reliability of the water supply infrastructure during adverse weather conditions. This initiative underscores NV GEBE's commitment to addressing the challenges faced by the community and enhancing the resilience of essential services.

"We are excited to embark on this important project that will not only rectify the existing issues but also contribute to the long-term sustainability and well-being of the communities we serve," said Mr. Troy Washington, Special Representative / Interim Manager at NV GEBE. "Our partnership with Winward Roads signifies a collaborative effort towards building stronger and more resilient communities, one project at a time”.

NV GEBE urges residents to stay informed about the progress of the construction by following our Facebook page for further updates on the project.

POINT BLANCH:---  In order to satisfy the demands of one of the port’s biggest customers CMA CGM, businessman George Pelgrim President of St. Maarten Shipping & Stevedoring (SSS), considered the premier stevedoring services company on the island, has started a program that would ‘Create the Total Port Worker’ in cooperation with the Jamaican based Institute for Industrial Solutions (IIS) led by Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Trainer Osric Forrest, and Technical Expert/Assessor Radcliffe Spence.
A stevedore is an occupation where individuals oversee the loading and offloading of cargo to and/or from a ship in port. Stevedores work with heavy machinery, while other related work is performed manually where machinery is not required.
Stevedores are the interface between land and sea, and their skills depend on the speed of cargo handling and the efficiency of the cargo ship voyage.
Currently, 20 SSS employees are participating in a workforce development program administered by IIS. The training started on Friday, April 5, and concluded on Wednesday, April 10, with the distribution of certificates to the participants.
Stevedores perform a very important task once a cargo ship docks at the quay by loading or unloading cargo, which is then trucked to various businesses on the island for consumer consumption.
Pelgrim, a pioneer in the island’s shipping and maritime sector for more than 40 years, said on Sunday that since the advent of containerized shipping, the process has advanced with the use of an entire range of cargo handling gear. Stevedoring has undoubtedly evolved due to containerization, Pilgrim added.
“This is the first time that SSS is training its seasoned employees, and at the end of it, they will be internationally certified as stevedores. This is a first for St. Maarten. As a member of the Caribbean Shipping Association and monitoring developments at the Caribbean Maritime Institute, we keep track of trends and developments, and as a stevedoring company, we need to keep pace with those international advances that come from ports and shipping companies.
“Our already seasoned stevedores will be on the same level as their Caribbean colleagues. Stevedores are skilled experts in what they do and play an increasingly important role on which we depend for efficient shipping processes. Ports need to be efficient to minimize port time and get the cargo ship back on its journey as soon as possible.
“This is just the beginning for the Intermar Group of Companies of a relationship further to expand workforce development solutions for the maritime sector. We will provide certification for our warehouse staff, heavy equipment operators, and maintenance division, which ensures overall customer satisfaction due to the principles of efficiency and effectiveness,” George Pilgrim concluded.
St. Maarten Shipping & Stevedoring NV was founded on June 23, 1985, to provide high-quality port terminal stevedoring, trucking, and other related cargo and maritime services to cargo lines serving port St. Maarten.
St. Maarten Shipping & Stevedoring NV is currently the largest inland container haulage transport company in St. Maarten/St. Martin, providing its customers with round-the-clock container and heavy equipment delivery service.
The SSS fleet consists of heavy-duty Granite Mack and Boxloader container Tractor Trucks supported by a fleet of over 150 units of its own SSS 20 and 40FT container chassis fleet.