PHILIPSBURG:--- Member of Parliament Darryl York raised pointed questions on Wednesday regarding the process followed by Finance Minister Marinka Gumbs in nominating a candidate for the Central Bank of Curaçao and St. Maarten (CBCS) supervisory board.
Speaking during a meeting of Parliament, MP York said he entered the session “with an open mind,” emphasizing that while there seemed to be consensus on what was done in the nomination process, there remained uncertainty as to whether it was done correctly.
“At this current point, it seems like we agree on what was done — but not yet on whether it was right,” York told Parliament.
Questions About ‘Political Firestorm’ and Transparency
York began by requesting clarification on the Minister’s earlier reference to a “political firestorm,” asking what she meant by the term in the context of the ongoing public debate surrounding the nomination.

He also inquired whether the list of potential candidates mentioned in the CBCS Supervisory Board’s January 21 letter had ever been officially shared with the Minister. According to York’s reading of the documents provided, it appeared the Minister had not received those names.
“Can the Minister further elaborate whether those candidates still exist, or if it’s something that the Minister is not yet aware of?” he asked.
York went on to probe whether the government’s legal affairs department had reviewed and vetted the advice that led to the conditional nomination, asking whether the advice had followed the proper procedural steps before it reached the Council of Ministers.
Challenge Over ‘Conditional Nomination’
A key part of York’s intervention focused on what he described as the lack of legal basis for the term “conditional nomination.”
“Where in the Charter does it make reference to a conditional nomination?” he asked. “We have nominees and we have candidates — but I cannot find any clause in the Charter that speaks of a conditional nomination.”
He also sought clarification on who serves as the first line of legal advice to government, stressing that clarity on this point was essential to determine whether due process had been properly followed in the nomination.

Minister’s Efforts to Retain Chairmanship
York pressed further, asking the Minister to substantiate her earlier claim that she had “begged and pleaded” with the former Minister of Finance to retain the chairmanship of the CBCS in the hands of St. Maarten.
“Was this done verbally or via email?” York questioned. “Because the Minister shared several emails today, but I didn’t see that particular correspondence. If such an email exists, I’d like to see it.”
He also questioned whether the former nominee was ever presented to or discussed with the CBCS Board before his name was put forward as a potential appointee.

Committee or Confidants? Changing Narratives
MP York spent considerable time addressing what he viewed as inconsistencies in the Minister’s explanations of how the candidate search was conducted.
During an earlier meeting, Minister Gumbs had reportedly stated that a “committee of like-minded individuals” assisted in identifying potential candidates. However, in the most recent meeting, she described the process as having been done through “trusted confidants.”
“Six weeks ago, it was a committee. Today, it’s confidants. Tomorrow, perhaps, it might be a coincidence,” York said wryly.
“Governance isn’t about wordplay — it’s about consistency.”
York argued that this shifting terminology called into question the transparency of the selection process and whether any formal applications had ever been received.
“Was this a formal search, or just a few calls to friends asking, ‘Who do you think I should nominate?’” he asked. “If this was how it was done, that would explain why my earlier question on whether applications were submitted went unanswered.”

Access to Advice and Good Governance
The MP also expressed concern about the confidential nature of the advice used to support the nomination. The Minister had previously said that such advice could not be shared with Members of Parliament.
However, York pointed out a contradiction, referencing the former nominee’s public statements that he had personally reviewed his own advice and was involved in ensuring it was sound.
“If Members of Parliament cannot see the advice, how can the nominee himself have read and contributed to it?” York asked. “Either the nominee is lying, or we have a serious governance problem.”
He emphasized that his critique was not merely about the actions taken, but about whether they upheld the principles of good governance and accountability.
“The Minister hasn’t corrected the record of confidants versus committees or advice versus no advice — she simply restyled it,” York concluded. “My issue is not the story, but the inconsistency in how it’s being told.”

Awaiting Clarity
York said he would await the outcome of discussions between the President of Parliament and the Council of Ministers regarding the extent to which internal government advices can or should be shared with MPs.
For now, he said, his questions remain focused on establishing clarity, transparency, and adherence to procedure in the CBCS nomination process.
“I’m not saying what was done is wrong,” York summarized, “but before I can say it was right — I need to understand exactly how it was done.”

PHILIPSBURG:---  The Government of St. Maarten, under the joint leadership of Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina and Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport & Telecommunication (TEATT) , Grisha Heyliger-Marten, is continuing its structured efforts to designate the Bureau of Telecommunication and Post (BTP) as the regulatory authority for the energy sector.
The Ministry acknowledges the proposal recently submitted by Member of Parliament Omar Ottley regarding electricity tariffs and fuel prices. This proposal will be reviewed in the context of the government’s ongoing work to establish a comprehensive regulatory framework for energy production and pricing.
Minister Heyliger-Marten has previously emphasized her commitment to introducing senior tariff rates and exploring net metering options, ensuring that vulnerable groups and households investing in renewable energy benefit from fair, regulated pricing. These initiatives, together with the government’s ongoing work with BTP, form part of a broader vision to modernize energy oversight, strengthen accountability, and safeguard consumers.
“We welcome constructive proposals that intersect with our broader vision for the energy sector. A framework will be established that is transparent, equitable, and future-ready, ensuring relief for households and sector stability,” Minister Heyliger-Marten stated.
The Government will continue to engage stakeholders and the public as these measures progress.

The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) extends warm congratulations to Dr. Muhammad Ibrahim of Guyana on his election as Director General of the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) for the period 2026–2030.

The OECS Commission joins the Governments and peoples of the Caribbean Community in celebrating this significant achievement, which represents both a proud moment for Guyana and a recognition of the Caribbean’s longstanding contribution to agricultural innovation and sustainable development across the Americas.

Hon. John Osborne, Minister of Agriculture of Montserrat and Chairman of the OECS Council of Ministers of Agriculture, lauded his election:

“Dr. Ibrahim’s election affirms the strength of Caribbean leadership in shaping the future of agriculture across the Americas. His career has been devoted to linking science, innovation, and sustainability with the real lives of farmers. The OECS Council of Ministers of Agriculture looks forward to working closely with him to advance resilient food systems and ensure that our small states continue to feed themselves and the world.”
Director General of the OECS, Dr. Didacus Jules, hailed Dr. Ibrahim’s election as “a moment of renewed confidence in the Caribbean’s capacity for global agricultural leadership.” He noted that:

“Dr. Ibrahim brings to IICA a deep understanding of the nexus between agricultural transformation, environmental sustainability, and the livelihoods of small farmers - areas of critical importance to the small island developing states of the Eastern Caribbean.”
Dr. Jules reaffirmed the full cooperation and partnership of the OECS Commission with IICA under Dr. Ibrahim’s leadership, emphasizing the Organisation’s commitment to deepening collaboration in:

• advancing climate-resilient and technology-driven agriculture,

• promoting food and nutrition security as a regional public good, and

• strengthening institutional capacity and youth engagement in agri-innovation.

He added that the OECS looks forward “with great expectation to Dr. Ibrahim’s tenure at a time when the agricultural sector of our Hemisphere faces unprecedented challenges - from climate instability and food price volatility to the need for bold transformation in production systems and trade.”
The OECS Commission expressed confidence that under Dr. Ibrahim’s stewardship, IICA will continue to be a beacon of technical excellence and hemispheric solidarity, fostering a more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable agricultural future for all member states.

What an unforgettable two days! From Coils to Crowns marked its powerful debut as a heartfelt celebration of culture, confidence, and community, inspiring youth to embrace their heritage and wear their crowns with pride.
Hosted across Charlotte Brookson Academy, Sundial School, and Sr. Borgia Elementary School, the event brought together over 120 students in a dynamic program exploring hair heritage, self-expression, and identity. Through storytelling, performance, and creative engagement, students reflected on the beauty of natural hair, its history, and its link to our African ancestry and the deeper meaning of self-acceptance.
Organizer Soidi Sorhaindo-Illis expressed immense gratitude for the overwhelming response:
“My heart is full as I reflect on what we’ve created together. Seeing our students connect with their roots and celebrate their identity reminded us all that our culture is powerful and alive.”
The success of this initiative was made possible by various sponsors in our community and their generous support, including Prime Distributors, Nestlé, and Carl & Sons, whose contributions helped turn a vision into a vibrant experience.
A heartfelt thank-you also goes to the dedicated team who worked tirelessly behind the scenes, “the true crown behind the crown,” ensuring every detail reflected purpose, passion, and pride.
Special acknowledgment is extended to Cultuurfonds Caribisch Gebied (CCG) for believing in this vision and supporting the program’s development from concept to reality.
To every student who participated, performed, and shared their voice, thank you for reminding us why this work matters. You are the future, and your crowns shine bright.
From Coils to Crowns is only the beginning. Together, we will continue to celebrate our roots, rhythm, and resilience as we reclaim our identity one crown at a time. As From Coils to Crowns continues to grow, we encourage our wider community of schools, parents, cultural leaders, and businesses to join in creating initiatives that educate, empower, and uplift the next generation. Together, we can do more. Do not be afraid to start, to collaborate, and to build spaces that celebrate our heritage and identity while building stronger communities.