PHILIPSBURG:--- The Ministry of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure of Sint Maarten (VROMI) and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) have signed a Letter of Intent expressing their shared intention to collaborate on the development of a national mobility improvement program.

The Letter of Intent establishes a framework for technical cooperation to improve mobility, traffic management, and road safety nationwide. This proposed Technical Assistance will support VROMI and partner ministries (TEATT and Justice) in developing an implementation roadmap for assessing traffic flows, congestion points, road safety risks, identifying priority short-term actions, and longer-term solutions to strengthen mobility in Sint Maarten.

Minister of VROMI, Patrice Gumbs, underscored the value of this study, noting that existing studies are outdated and solutions to address current challenges need to be data-driven, using local knowledge, experience, and international best practices. The Ministry recognizes that this effort is inter-ministerial and needs the input of the community. Together with UNOPS, VROMI will host public consultations to ensure that solutions are as inclusive as they are scientific. “This step marks the formalization of a year-long engagement with UNOPS on this topic, recognizing that our economy is based on sound economic policy and decision-making, supported by proper infrastructure and spatial planning.”

Dalila Gonçalves, UNOPS Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean, noted the collaboration reflects a shared commitment to evidence-based planning and sustainable infrastructure, “effective mobility systems are fundamental to resilient and inclusive development, particularly in Small Island Developing States. UNOPS looks forward to supporting VROMI in materializing their vision for the future of mobility in Sint Maarten”.
Recognizing that mobility is a cross-cutting issue affecting all sectors of society, the initiative will actively engage a broad range of stakeholders throughout its implementation. This includes collaboration with the private sector, ministries, educational institutions, community organizations, and representatives from key economic industries. Through these dialogues, the project aims to ensure that the mobility improvement program is holistic, inclusive, and responsive to the diverse social, economic, and spatial needs of Sint Maarten, while reflecting technical analysis.
The initiative aligns with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, particularly Sustainable Development Goal 9 on Resilient Infrastructure. Once all legal and financial arrangements are in place, the Letter of Intent will be replaced with a Memorandum of Understanding.

• The Letter of Intent marks the first step in collaboration between VROMI and UNOPS on mobility and road safety in Sint Maarten.
• The initiative focuses on technical assistance to strengthen mobility planning, traffic management, and institutional capacity.

PHILIPSBURG:---  As the year came to a close, Orco Bank proudly reflected on the meaningful moments shared during the annual End of Year Dinner and Party for Seniors in Sint Maarten, organized by the Helping Hands Foundation. The event brought together seniors and differently-abled community members for an evening filled with warmth, music, and togetherness.
Held at the Seniors Recreational Center in the Hope Estate, the celebration welcomed approximately 125 to 150 seniors, offering a festive atmosphere with live entertainment, food, drinks, and joyful moments of connection. With the support of multiple sponsors, including Orco Bank, the event created a memorable and inclusive experience for all in attendance.
“Supporting initiatives that bring joy, dignity, and connection to our senior community is something we value deeply,” said Judy King, Country Manager of Orco Bank Sint Maarten. “December is a time for giving and reflection, and we were honored to support this event alongside other partners who share the same commitment to community care.”
Orco Bank remains committed to supporting local organizations like the Helping Hands Foundation, whose work continues to positively impact the lives of seniors across Sint Maarten. As we move into the new year, Orco Bank looks forward to continuing its role as an engaged and supportive community partner.
For more information about Orco Bank, please visit https://www.orcobank.com. Stay connected and follow us for daily updates on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/OrcoBank and LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/orco-bank.

PHILIPSBURG:---  In a heartfelt address during a Central Committee meeting today, Member of Parliament Omar Ottley delivered a powerful message about the urgent need to support St. Maarten's young professionals and dismantle the barriers preventing them from succeeding in their own country. Speaking directly to students present in the Tribune, MP Ottley focused on the critical theme of "breaking the glass ceiling" to secure a prosperous future for the island's next generation.
MP Ottley began by highlighting a somber reality faced by many local families. He shared the story of a colleague whose son, a scholarship recipient raised and educated in St. Martin, was unable to find a job on the island. The young man ultimately accepted a promising position abroad, but with a heavy heart. "You know his sentiments? Mommy, I am not coming back. My country has forsaken me," Ottley recounted. "So we lost another professional."
This anecdote served as a poignant example of the "glass ceiling" that holds back talented local individuals. MP Ottley stressed that his concerns were not about politics but about the tangible, real-world consequences of systemic obstacles. "When I speak, it's not about politics. It's about reality," he declared. "And that was a glass ceiling that held this young man back."
Drawing on his own experiences, Ottley revealed his struggles to find employment despite holding a master's degree. This challenge, he explained, pushed him toward a different path. "If I did not turn to entrepreneurship, I would have been one," he stated, referring to those forced to leave the island for work. "Maybe it's being raised differently that pushed me to say, instead of leaving, let me turn towards entrepreneurship."
However, he cautioned that entrepreneurship is not a simple solution, noting that the current profit tax system is a significant deterrent for new business owners. "Even today, entrepreneurship is not attractive because we have a profit tax that takes 40% of what you make," he noted. "So what are we creating for our country? What are we creating for the future?"
His speech was a direct call to action for his fellow legislators and government members. He implored them to recognize the crisis of youth unemployment and professional exodus. "Until we do what we need to do on this floor of Parliament, we cannot secure their future in this country," Ottley warned.
Concluding his address, MP Ottley turned to the students, offering them a message of hope and encouragement. He expressed his aspiration that the current leadership could serve as an example, while inspiring the youth to aim even higher. "I hope that we can exemplify and show you... what you can be," he said. "And a matter of fact, you can be way better than us." The speech underscored the critical importance of creating a supportive environment where St. Martin's youth can not only dream but also achieve their full potential at home.

PHILIPSBURG:---  Member of Parliament Darryl York criticized the protocol surrounding the recent groundbreaking ceremony for the new prison during a Central Committee meeting on Friday. Addressing the chair, fellow ministers, and visiting students from Mary Genevieve de Wever Primary School, York, he labeled the event "distasteful" for excluding former officials he believes were instrumental to the project.
While York initially expressed optimism about the groundbreaking, viewing it as a necessary step forward for the country, he told Parliament that his mood shifted after realizing that former Minister of Justice Anna Elaine Richardson was not on the guest list.

York argued that the ceremony, which featured current officials breaking ground, would not have been possible without the groundwork laid by the previous administration.
"No one, Madam Chair, that sat at that ceremony would have been able to sit there... no one who held a shovel would have been able to hold a shovel if former Minister Anna Elaine Richardson didn't do the work she did," York stated.

He emphasized that the issue transcends party politics or personal likability. According to the MP, failing to invite Richardson—or any other former Ministers of Justice—was a breach of professional respect. He used a local idiom to drive his point home: "We cannot one day be speaking about giving Jack the jacket, but when Jackley needs to get it, Jackley has to kick rocks."

Beyond the protocol issue, York also issued a warning about the project's execution. While acknowledging the photo opportunities taken by current MPs and Ministers, he expressed hope that the prison construction would not mirror the fate of previous infrastructure attempts.
Specifically, he referenced the marketplace project from two years prior. York cautioned the government against a scenario where "millions have been spent, and only grass has been cut" two years from now.
The MP concluded his address by reiterating that his critique was not about seeking attention, but about ensuring credit is given where it is due and maintaining accountability for public funds.