PHILIPSBURG (DCOMM):---  Tropical Storm Jerry will pass approximately 75 miles from Sint Maarten early Friday the Meteorological Department of Sint Maarten (MDS) said on Thursday morning. On the forecast track, the center of Jerry is expected to pass near or to the northeast

of the country overnight tonight into Friday.

MDS in its updated forecast says a flood watch and a high seas warning will be in effect as of 6:00 PM today until further notice.

The country remains under a Tropical Storm Watch until further notice. A watch is issued when tropical storm conditions of sustained winds of 39 to 73 miles per hour are possible within a specified area within 48 hours.

RAINFALL: This system could produce rain accumulation of up to 2 to 4 inches over the region, starting from this evening through Sunday. Some showers may be heavy and can be accompanied by thunderstorms, producing flash flooding and rock falls. The heaviest rainfall is expected late Friday into Saturday. Hence, a Flood Watch is now in effect.

WIND: Tropical storm-force winds are likely to affect St. Maarten from after 8pm tonight through Saturday, with the heaviest winds expected on Friday night.

SEAS: Seas will gradually deteriorate throughout the day, peaking up to 12 feet. Small Craft Warning and High Surf Advisory (combined High Seas) will be in effect from 6pm today.

The Office of Disaster Management (ODM) urges the community and business sector to monitor government channels and credible media sources for public and weather information related to the approach of Tropical Storm Jerry.

For local weather reports follow MDS: www.meteosxm.com or visit their social media page Facebook.com/sxmweather/.

For more information on hurricane preparedness and to find a list of official resources, please visit the Government website: www.sintmaartengov.org/hurricane where you will be able to download your “Hurricane Season Readiness Guide’ and “Hurricane Tracking Chart” or you can use the following link: https://shorturl.at/VbaxC

Listen to the Government Radio station – SXMGOV 107.9FM - for official information and news before, during and after a hurricane. You can also follow weather related news and information as well as national addresses by the Prime Minister, chairperson of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) by going to @SXMGOV Facebook Page.

Continue to monitor official news sources for credible information.

Remember, it only takes one hurricane to make it a bad season.  Remain vigilant and prepared!

~Secretary Generals, Department Heads, and civil servants contribute to the shared vision of digital progress and service excellence.~

Cay Hill:---  The Government of Sint Maarten, under the leadership of the Digital Leadership Team (DLT) and the ICT Department, with the support of the St. Maarten Trust Fund, World Bank, National Recovery Program Bureau (NRPB), and NRD Companies, continues to advance St. Maarten’s Digital Government Transformation Project (DGTP) through its second series of stakeholders’ engagement sessions. This is the Government’s bold, transformative digital initiative to upgrade public services and enhance government efficiency, benefiting citizens and businesses. Two (2) key sessions were held on October 6 - 7, 2025, at Paradise Hall, engaging civil servants and key stakeholders across ministries. Each ministry was requested to nominate representatives to actively participate in these workshops, promoting co-design, shared understanding, and readiness across departments. Participants included Secretary Generals, Department Heads, and civil servants from across the Government of Sint Maarten, all contributing to a shared vision of digital progress and service excellence. Digital Identity, Digital Public Infrastructure Checklist, and Enterprise Architecture:

Current Maturity and Future State were among the sessions presented to attendees. These sessions focused on awareness, collaboration, and co-design, essential steps to ensure that all ministries move forward with a unified vision of delivering modern, efficient, and citizen-centered public services. “Together we will build a seamless digital government, as we have a passion for public service. It is not a copy-and-paste system for St. Maarten, but one that must be studied and tailored to our authentic situation and culture. We must continue to strengthen the trust between the government and the people by being transparent to our citizens. This project is commendable as it involves a lot of effort, coordination, and communication by our Digital Leadership Team,” declared the Honorable Prime Minister Dr. Luc F.E. Mercelina during his opening address.

The Prime Minister’s participation underscores his continued commitment to digital transformation, following his endorsement in September via an opinion piece titled “Embracing Digital Transformation: A Path to Resilience and Growth.” His leadership reflects the Government’s alignment with global digital transformation trends while ensuring local context remains central to implementation. Government Embarks on Digital Transformation: Awareness and Co-Design for Civil Servants at Stakeholders’ Engagement. Claret Connor, Director of the NRPB, reaffirmed this vision in his remarks: “We must be able to reimagine public service. The Digital Government Transformation Project represents a bold step forward for Sint Maarten. It’s about more than technology; it’s about transforming how government serves its people through collaboration, innovation, and inclusion. At the NRPB, we’re proud to support this effort and help lay the foundation for a digital government that is efficient, secure, and built around the needs of our residents and visitors.” The DGTP introduces groundbreaking initiatives such as digital identity and the first wave of digital government services, aiming to make daily government operations smoother, faster, and more impactful.

The success of these efforts depends on collaboration and alignment across all ministries and departments. “This program is more than technology, it’s about making government services more accessible, efficient, and resilient for every citizen and business,” said Femi Badejo, Leader of the Digital Leadership Team (DLT) and Interim Head of the ICT Department. “Civil servants, who know our systems best, are the key drivers of this transformation. Their involvement is essential to ensure success.” NRD Companies, a global consulting firm specializing in GovTech and FinTech solutions, facilitated day one (1) and explored the digital priorities, including digital identity, e-services, and enterprise architecture.

Anonymous polls were conducted through QR code engagement to gather real-time feedback from attendees. The Digital Leadership Team (DLT) facilitated day two (2) under the theme “DGTP in Execution: Hands-On Alignment for Implementation Teams”. The Digital Leadership Team’s workstream project managers highlighted implementation strategies, role clarity, and next steps for accelerating digital transformation. The Digital Government Transformation Program (DGTP) is led by the Digital Leadership Team (DLT) and implemented by the National Recovery Program Bureau (NRPB) on behalf of the Government of Sint Maarten. The project is funded by a $12 million grant from the Sint Maarten Trust Fund, which is financed by the Government of the Netherlands and managed by the World Bank. Through this initiative, the Government of Sint Maarten reaffirms its commitment to building a digital-first, citizen-focused government. With the dedication of its civil servants and support from strategic partners, Sint Maarten is well on its way to shaping a more connected, resilient, and future-ready public sector

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Ministry of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure (VROMI) has issued a formal General Stop/Removal Order for parcels of land located at Soualiga Drive 16, Pond Island, Great Bay.
An investigation by the Ministry has confirmed that several individuals are illicitly occupying the land, identified by certificates of admeasurements numbers 038/2007 and 206/2017, for residential and commercial activities without any form of permission or authorization.
Effective immediately, all ongoing construction, commercial activities, and illegal occupation on these parcels must cease. The individuals involved are legally summoned to remove all illicit structures and activities within 30 days of the order's publication date.
The activities in question are in clear violation of multiple articles of the Building Ordinance (AB 2013, GT no. 136), specifically Articles 7, 10, 61, and 64. The Ministry emphasizes that failure to comply with this order will result in administrative enforcement. This means the Ministry will proceed to remove the structures at the full expense of the offenders, in addition to pursuing legal prosecutorial measures as outlined in the law.
Parties affected by this decision have the right to file an objection or an appeal. A note of objection can be submitted to the VROMI administrative authority within six (6) weeks. Alternatively, an appeal can be filed directly with the Court of First Instance of St. Maarten within the same six-week period.
For further information regarding this urgent matter, concerned parties are advised to contact the VROMI Inspection Department via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

HARBOUR VIEW:---  The former and first Governor of Sint Maarten, Drs. Eugene B. Holiday will deliver the keynote address at this year’s Governor’s Symposium, scheduled for Friday, October 10, 2025, at the American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine in Cupecoy.

This year’s Symposium, themed “15 Years of Constitutional Autonomy: Achievements, Lessons, and Prospects,” will bring together a distinguished group of experts from diverse fields including law, governance, economics, and social development—among them Drs. Eugene B. Holiday—as announced by His Excellency Governor Ajamu G. Baly.

Drs Holiday—an economist, author, and founder and president of the Holiday Institute for Governance and Economics—brings decades of experience in central banking, aviation, and constitutional reform. An advocate for good governance, education, and economic development, Drs. Holiday served as a member and chairman of the Workgroup of Constitutional Affairs (2000–2010) and played a key role in Sint Maarten’s constitutional reform process that led to the island’s attainment of country status.

As Sint Maarten’s first Governor (2010–2022), he established the Governor’s Symposium in 2012 to promote excellence in governance and nation-building. This momentous edition is a continuation of this tradition and marks the 12th annual Governor's Symposium.

Attendance at the Symposium is by invitation only. However, the public is invited to join the conversation virtually via livestream on the Governor’s Facebook page and YouTube channel beginning at 8:30 a.m. Registration for in-person guests will start at 8:00 a.m., and the program will commence promptly at 8:45 a.m.