PHILIPSBURG:---  The House of Parliament will sit in a Central Committee meeting on October 7, 2026.  

The Central Committee meeting is scheduled for Wednesday at 14.00 hrs. in the General Assembly Chamber of the House at Wilhelminastraat #1 in Philipsburg. The Prime Minister and the Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport will attend.

The agenda points are:

1. Approval composition delegations and provisions for Members of Parliament to attend official parliamentary invited events and parliamentary work visits:
2. Approval of composition delegation and provisions for Members of Parliament to participate in the World e-Parliament Conference 2026 co-organized by the Inter Parliamentary Union and the European Parliament from November 16-18, 2026, in Brussels, Belgium (IS/079/2026-2027 dated September 24, 2026)
3. Discussion with the Government on Building Digital Trust: Responsible AI for a Stronger Democracy and Empowered Communities

Members of the public are invited to the House of Parliament to attend parliamentary deliberations. All persons visiting the House of Parliament must adhere to the house rules.

The House of Parliament is located across from the Court House in Philipsburg. 

The parliamentary sessions will be carried live on TV 15, Soualiga Headlines, via SXM GOV radio FM 107.9, via Pearl Radio FM 98.1, the audio via the internet www.sxmparliament.org, www.youtube.com/c/SintMaartenParliament and www.pearlfmradio.sx

PHILIPSBURG: The third Reading Festival Sint Maarten Edition brought two days of reading, creativity, and interactive learning on September 25 and 26, 2026.

About 600 students joined Friday’s program at the University of St. Martin (USM) and participating secondary schools, where local and international authors shared books and engaged with students. 

On Saturday, USM welcomed over 575 visitors for a wide range of activities, including VR experiences, steel pan workshops, book dance, detective sessions, drama productions, arts and crafts, storytelling and author workshops.

Every child left the festival with a book of their choice, while visitors also had the opportunity to win raffle prizes throughout the day. Vernicia Lambert, a student at Browlia F. Maillard MAC Campus, won the main raffle prize: an e-reader.

More than 60 prizes were raffled among children who attended the Open House on Saturday. Some winners received their prizes during the festival, while those not present for the drawing will receive theirs through their respective schools.

“Reading opens doors for our young people. It strengthens their imagination, helps them discover their own voices, and gives them tools they will carry with them throughout their lives,” said Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport, Melissa Gumbs. “What I appreciate about the Reading Festival is that it shows children that reading does not have to feel like a task. It can be fun, creative and exciting, while still helping them build the skills and confidence they need for their future.”

Special thanks to Bethzy Gianella Chiang of Stichting Biblionef Netherlands, whose annual support and creativity have helped the festival grow.

Thanks to the collaborative Team 2026, Biblionef Netherlands, the Government of Sint Maarten, the University of St. Martin (USM), the Sint Maarten Library, and the Help our Children Foundation. We also thank all sponsors, partners, authors, facilitators, educators, and volunteers who made this event possible.

Sponsors include:

The Dutch Foundation for Literature, Cultuurfonds Caribisch Gebied, Holland House Beach Hotel, Justice4all Consultancy B.V., Windward Islands Bank, Stichting Kadaster, the Dutch Representation of Sint Maarten (VNP), Princess Juliana International Airport, Central Bank of Curaçao & St. Maarten, Port St. Maarten, The Sint Maarten Lions Club, Bute Hotel, All (4) Rotary Clubs of Dutch St. Martin, Nagico Insurances, Cavalier Logistics, Divico, Richards Legal BV, Sunny Foods, Publix Supermarket, Seven Seas Water Group, SZV Social & Health Insurances, Domino’s Pizza,  and all other contributors.

October 1 Executive Council decisions revise spending provisions for the March 2025 accession ceremony, move the former Gibbs School renovation forward, and name French Quarter’s bus station after veteran transporter André Nestor Leblanc.

MARIGOT:--- Saint-Martin’s Executive Council has approved budget allocations totaling €166,689.45 for expenses associated with the territory’s March 2025 accession ceremony to the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States, while advancing a Grand Case community facility with a provisional construction cost of €2.76 million, excluding tax.

The council took the decisions at its October 1, 2026, meeting and outlined them in an October 5 press release from the Collectivité. The council examined 20 deliberations, including property transactions, transport licensing and legal proceedings concerning public land and planning violations.

The financial decisions carry two significant timelines: the OECS spending provisions concern an event held more than 18 months earlier, while delivery of Grand Case’s renovated association facility is currently projected for the first quarter of 2028.

€166,689 Allocated for March 2025 Accession Ceremony

The council amended its February 13, 2025, decision governing expenses for Saint-Martin’s accession ceremony, held at Secrets in Anse Marcel on March 19 and 20, 2025.

The revised provisions cover accommodation, meals, receptions and local transport for dignitaries, the OECS director and official delegations. They also cover staging, interpretation, decorations, security, communications and event coordination.

The individual budget allocations listed in the communiqué total €166,689.45.

These figures represent the allocations approved in the decision. The communiqué does not provide a complete payment history or establish that this is the event’s final overall cost.

The timing nevertheless warrants an explanation of how the October 2026 amendment relates to the original authorizations, expenses incurred and payments already processed.

Hotel and Chauffeur Rates Set

The council also approved maximum unit rates for eligible ceremony expenses:

• Accommodation: €400 per room per night.
• Delegation transfers: €70 per person per journey.
• Heads of government transfers: €95 per person per journey.
• Vehicle with chauffeur for heads of government: €1,600 per vehicle per day.
• Lunch or dinner: €55 per person.
• Official cocktail or reception: €75 per person.
• Coffee breaks and refreshments: €350 per session.

According to the communiqué, the ceilings apply within the limits of expenses actually incurred. The decision allows departure from the reimbursement scales applicable to public officials on mission, citing the territory’s local public interest and international standing.

The release does not identify the number of hotel nights, journeys, vehicle days or guests charged under these categories. Those details would allow residents to assess how the rates translated into expenditure.

Grand Case Association Facility Moves Toward 2028 Delivery

The Executive Council awarded the electrical works package for rehabilitating and converting the former Gibbs School in Grand Case into a Maison des Associations, a facility for community organizations.

The electrical package is valued at €283,200.82, excluding tax. It is included in the provisional construction total of €2,764,821.94, excluding tax.

The Collectivité said it had already notified the companies awarded the other 12 packages, which were undertaking preparatory work, including execution studies and construction planning.

Electrical works were described as essential to coordinating the project, particularly structural works, roads, and utility networks. The award allows the teams to integrate power supplies, cable routes, connections and equipment requirements into their plans.

Delivery is currently projected for the first quarter of 2028.

However, the total remains provisional. The communiqué states that the final works amount will be determined after examination of the remaining elevator package, whose award will require a later decision.

The release does not name the electrical contractor or disclose the full project budget beyond the provisional works amount.

French Quarter Bus Station Honors André Nestor Leblanc

The council approved naming Quartier d’Orléans’ bus station after André Nestor Leblanc, recognizing his long service transporting passengers.

Leblanc operated from 1988 to 2016, serving the cross-border route to Philipsburg and the regular Marigot–Orléans route.

The station is located within the multiservice space at Les Hirondelles, under the Les Promenades du Quartier d’Orléans project. SEMSAMAR was tasked with preparing and reorganizing the premises and creating bus parking areas.

The facility accommodates four buses simultaneously and has a nearby bus shelter. The council authorized signage bearing Leblanc’s name.

The Collectivité describes the station as an interim facility. It will serve as the neighborhood’s principal bus station until a modern, strategically located transport infrastructure is built to meet the needs of approximately 8,000 residents.

No delivery date or budget was provided for that future station.

Collectivité Declines to Purchase 15 Properties

The council decided not to exercise its urban or statutory pre-emption rights over properties covered by 15 declarations of intention to sell.

The decision means the Collectivité will not use those rights to acquire the properties in the transactions examined.

The communiqué does not identify the properties, their prices or the reasons for declining to intervene.

Transport Licensing Operations Approved

The council authorized transport-license operations and approved operating authorizations and professional cards for eligible beneficiaries who hold the required professional qualifications and meet integrity requirements.

The Collectivité will enter the approved operations in its transport transaction register.

The release does not disclose how many beneficiaries were approved or provide a breakdown of the individual operations.

President Authorized to Pursue Public-Land and Planning Cases

The Executive Council also regularized and authorized the President’s participation in proceedings before Saint-Martin’s Administrative Tribunal and the judicial courts concerning public-domain and land-use violations.

The decision addresses proceedings already initiated and authorizes the Collectivité to defend its interests.

The council appointed AARPI Les Avocats Réunis, acting through SELARL JurisCarib and represented by attorney Dominique Nicolas, to handle the matters.

The communiqué does not identify defendants, specify legal fees or announce court findings against any party.

Spending Decisions Need Clear Follow-Through

The October 1 decisions advance community infrastructure, recognize a longstanding transport contribution and authorize action to protect public land.

They also leave important financial and delivery questions open.

Residents should be able to see the payment breakdown for the OECS ceremony, the final cost of the Grand Case facility, the award of its remaining elevator package and progress toward the promised 2028 delivery.

Council approval establishes authority to act. Public accountability requires the next stage: clear expenditure records, identified responsibilities and evidence that the approved projects and services are delivered.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The National Alliance (NA) faction has requested an urgent public meeting of Parliament with Minister of VROMI, Hon. Patrice Gumbs, to address concerns surrounding wastewater treatment and the broader management of waste in Sint Maarten.

The request comes amid concerns raised with the faction about the operation and maintenance of the wastewater treatment plant and wastewater handling. The requested meeting will also address waste management more broadly, including garbage collection, disposal and related developments.

“Waste management affects every district and every household. Whether we are talking about wastewater, garbage collection or disposal, these are basic services that directly impact public health, our environment and the cleanliness of our country. Parliament needs a clear update on where things stand,” the NA faction stated.

The meeting has been requested under the agenda point: “Update on wastewater treatment, waste management and related developments.”

The NA faction hopes the meeting will be convened sooner rather than later, given the nature of the concerns being raised.

“We should not wait until these issues become bigger problems. The Minister should come to Parliament, provide the facts, answer the questions and explain what is being done. The people deserve clarity.”