WILLEMSTAD/ PHILIPSBURG:--- The CBCS has finally moved towards criminal prosecution in the Ennia case. Anyone who deliberately drains a pension and insurance institution must answer to the criminal court. But anyone who believes the matter ends there misses the essence of the governance problem of which Ennia is only the most visible expression. In a state governed by the rule of law, that rule of law applies to everyone – including the central bank.
The uncomfortable truth is this: Ennia could only derail on such a scale because supervision failed for many years. That supervision had a name and an address: the Central Bank of Curaçao and Sint Maarten (CBCS). The issue is therefore not only the criminal acts of the former owner and directors, but also the governance neglect of the institution that was supposed to prevent tens of thousands of policyholders and pensioners from ending up in the danger zone, and avoid that the state ends up paying the bill.
Criminal law is necessary, but not enough
Public debate now focuses on whether or not there will be prosecution. That is understandable – it speaks to justice, to the feeling that “the big players” get away too often.
But criminal law looks at individual guilt and provable criminal acts. It does not answer the broader questions: how could it be that signals about solvency, risky investments, and conflicts of interest failed for years to trigger effective interventions? What choices were made – or not made – within CBCS when it became clear that Ennia was a systemic risk? What role did the governments of Curaçao and St. Maarten play as shareholders of CBCS? And how did the internal organs, such as the executive and supervisory boards (incl audit cmt) perform ? Did Kingdom institutions knew that the situation at Ennia had been fragile for years?
Without answers to these questions, we are left with the image that we “catch the crook” but leave the gatekeeper untouched. That is disastrous for trust in the system.
Why an internal evaluation is not enough
It is being suggested that CBCS will draw lessons and conduct an internal review of what can be improved. That sounds sympathetic, but it is exactly what should not happen. An institution that failed to correct itself for years cannot credibly investigate its own neglect, behind closed doors, with a report that the public may never see in full.
Ennia is not about an accounting error; it is a systemic crisis in supervision, governance, and political responsibility. That calls for an independent, public review, comparable to what was done in the past at Aqualectra. In that case, it was evident that public ownership and public losses justified an in depth public inquiry. In the Ennia case, that public dimension is many times greater: here, not just tariffs are at stake, but life long pensions, taxpayers’ money, and trust in the financial system.
All organs in the governance chain under scrutiny
A serious evaluation therefore cannot stop at “CBCS had a difficult task.” We need a clear picture of the role of all organs in the governance chain:
Within CBCS: how were warning signals assessed, which interventions were considered, and why was the heaviest instrument – the emergency measure – applied so late?
In the governments and parliaments of Curaçao and St. Maarten: what information did they have, how did they fulfil their role as shareholder and legislator, and where did they look away?
At Kingdom level: how were repeated warnings about the vulnerability of supervision and financial stability in the Caribbean parts of the Kingdom handled? Were there such warnings ?
Only when these questions are answered publicly and factually can citizens and policyholders judge whether the institutions “above them” are living up to their responsibilities.
Time for an Ennia report on CBCS
If we want to use the Ennia crisis to improve the system holistically instead of merely punishing a few perpetrators, one step is unavoidable: an independent, public inquiry into the functioning of CBCS and the wider governance chain around Ennia. Not to destroy the Bank, but to develop it as a mature public institution that can be corrected.
Criminal prosecution is necessary, but not sufficient. In a state governed by the rule of law, that rule of law applies to everyone, including the central bank: bringing full clarity about what went wrong inside CBCS and which organs played a role in that is at least as important as the criminal prosecution of those who bled Ennia dry. Precisely the consistent application of the rule of law to all holders of power is essential to maintain and strengthen trust in our democratic constitutional state.
Mike Willem, BaEcon, MBA
Former Minister of the Netherlands Antilles and former Commissioner of Curacao
VROMI Acknowledges Road Conditions; Urges Public Patience Amid Ongoing Rains.
PHILIPSBURG:--- The Ministry of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure (VROMI) acknowledges that the current rain will continue to expose vulnerabilities in the island's road infrastructure, resulting in the formation of potholes and deteriorating road surfaces across various areas.
While efforts to improve road infrastructure remain a priority, repair works are weather-dependent and will commence as soon as conditions permit. The Ministry is actively working toward a more comprehensive, long-term road management plan to address these challenges in a sustainable manner.
The Ministry respectfully asks for the patience and cooperation of all road users during this period and assures the public that restoring safe and reliable road conditions remains a top priority.
Disaster/Hurricane Pass Application Process Starts April 15. Deadline is May 29.
PHILIPSBURG (DCOMM):--- The application process for the annual Hurricane Passes for the 2026 Atlantic Hurricane Season, which starts June 1 and runs through November 30, will start on Wednesday, April 15. This is mainly for new entities that have never applied for a pass and for those whose passes have expired.
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 Friday, May 29, 2026, to provide all relevant information for the pass request process.
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 listed above (disaster & hurricane passes) can request personal passes for their key personnel.
The Office of Disaster Management, which 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 2026 hurricane season 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 2026 for businesses.
- proof of 2026 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, 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 Friday, May 29, 2026, with all necessary documents attached.
Applicants will be informed by email or telephone when to pick up the pass at the aforementioned address.
Nature Foundation urges the EU to scale up overseas biodiversity funding at OCTA Ministerial Conference.
PHILIPSBURG:--- The Nature Foundation Sint Maarten, a local environmental conservation non-profit, was among a small group of delegates at the high-level OCTA Ministerial Conference on April 11 in Aruba, to present on the need for increased, long-term biodiversity funding across Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs). Part of the 21st OCTs-EU Forum, the occasion allowed beneficiaries of the BESTLIFE2030 Programme to communicate directly with top-ranking ministers and regional authorities of OCTs, the European Commission, Member States, and regional stakeholders.
Project Manager Sabrine Brismeur, a resident of Saint-Martinois parentage, represented the Nature Foundation alongside three other program beneficiaries from Aruba, Curaçao, and Sint Eustatius, along with IUCN BESTLIFE2030 coordination team. Over the course of an hour, the group made the case for why the EU must continue to scale up investment in biodiversity initiatives in the OCTs, drawing on their direct experience implementing various projects.
The invitation also served as an opportunity for the Nature Foundation to share its experience and feedback on BESTLIFE2030 directly with its coordinators. EU-funded programs like BESTLIFE2030, while incredibly valuable, are noted for their rigorous administration and reporting requirements, which can be difficult for small, capacity-strained organizations to meet. Communication and relationships between on-the-ground practitioners and high-level grant administrators are essential to improving the conditions and outcomes of successful projects.
"These sorts of programs are critical to our work on Sint Maarten and allow us to carry out projects that are innovative, targeted, or long overdue," said Brismeur. "Funding for biodiversity conservation among our islands is low, especially for extremely small NGOs like the Nature Foundation — which does not benefit from sustainability or nature fees, head taxes, environmental fines, or even nature park entry tickets, since we are the only island in the Dutch Caribbean without a terrestrial park.”
Programs including BESTLIFE2030 — a grantmaking mechanism focused on preserving and restoring biodiversity in the EU's outermost regions (ORs) and OCTs — are funded by the EU to advance shared global biodiversity commitments. Through the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Sint Maarten is party to various treaties including the Specially Protected Areas and Wildlife (SPAW) Protocol and the 30x30 targets of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
"Biodiversity conservation is not just about wildlife itself, but about how species and ecosystems help sustain economies, generate savings, feed populations, improve health, protect infrastructure, and root culture," said Brismeur. "For example, our project ties together the capacity of sustainable fisheries and elasmobranchs - sharks and rays - to provide long-term benefits for our local fishers.”
The Nature Foundation would like to sincerely thank the coordinators of IUCN BESTLIFE2030 Programme and OCTA for the invitation and opportunity, as well as the policymakers, politicians, and civil servants present in the room for listening and considering the presentation.
The Nature Foundation's BESTLIFE2030 project, MENAA (Marine Elasmobranch Nursery Area Advocacy), seeks to build a foundation for the long-term success of Sint Maarten's marine and coastal areas, particularly for sharks and rays. Research shows that local waters serve as a nursery for species including tiger sharks, Caribbean reef sharks, and spotted eagle rays. These animals are crucial for reef health and fishery stability but remain threatened by poaching and ghost nets, despite existing local protections. Learn more about the program at https://naturefoundationsxm.org/projects/menaa.
The BESTLIFE2030 Programme is co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are, however, those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or CINEA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
VROMI Officially Opens Billy Folly After Sint Maarten’s Firstb Public Private Partnership Pilot Delivers.
PHILIPSBURG:--- The Ministry of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure (VROMI) is proud to announce the official opening of Billy Folly Road (Pelican) following the successful completion of the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) infrastructure pilot project. The milestone was celebrated last Friday at the invitation of the business sector with a reception that brought together private investors, government officials, and project partners whose collective commitment made this achievement possible.
The rehabilitation of Billy Folly Road was announced as a PPP initiative, combining a government contribution with funds raised by a coalition of local businesses and establishments. The completed project delivered much-needed sidewalks, a fully upgraded concrete subsurface, and a new asphalt layer. Critically, additional funding is being procured to address the long-standing drainage issue in the area. The result is a safer, more resilient road serving both residents and the many visitors who travel through the Pelican corridor. The Minister of VROMI thanked the Prime Minister for his efforts in realizing the project, which stemmed from a conversation between him and one of the hotels.
Minister Gumbs extended his deepest gratitude to each of the businesses whose financial contributions and corporate social responsibility made this project a reality: Simpsonbay Resort, Flamingo Hilton, La Vista, Simpsonbay Suites, Baker Suites, Market Garden, SMTA, Hollywood Casino, Splash Jewelry, Aquamania, Tepui Residences, Dollar Thrifty, Buccaneers Beach Bar, Peli Deli, and Sunset Spa. Their collective investment of USD $496,500 stands as a powerful demonstration of the private sector’s commitment to the island’s infrastructure and quality of life. “That idea of partnerships, when it comes to investments and maintenance, is key in making our island what it is and forms a cornerstone of our governing program. I thank you all for answering the call, coming together and being the trailblazers in bridging the gap.” Minister Gumbs stated during the reception.
Building on the success of the Billy Folly pilot, the Ministry is actively advancing negotiations for similar public-private infrastructure initiatives across the country as part of its commitment to delivering quality public works through careful planning, adequate financing, and transparent partnerships.
The Ministry of VROMI thanks the public for their continued patience and support as we work to improve current infrastructure.