PHILIPSBURG:--- During the Central Committee Meeting for the Second Draft Debate 2025, Member of Parliament Lyndon Lewis posed pointed questions to the Council of Ministers, seeking clarity on critical areas of governance. His inquiries spanned several ministries, encompassing fiscal policy, staffing shortages, infrastructure, education, justice, and tourism. Below is a summary of the key concerns raised by MP Lewis.
Questions to the Minister of Finance
MP Lewis expressed significant concern over fiscal compliance and revenue generation. He asked what specific measures have been implemented since the 2024 budget to improve compliance and whether the ministry is exploring new revenue-generating activities, including detailed timelines for implementation. Additionally, he queried the government’s plans to attract qualified personnel to the Inspectorate and Receivers departments amid anticipated capacity challenges due to upcoming retirements.
Small businesses and tax regulations also came under scrutiny. Lewis pressed for updates on plans to reduce the tax burdens for small enterprises, the status of revisions to tax laws, and the possible adjustment of income tax scales following the increase in the minimum wage. He inquired whether turnover tax rates would be lowered and whether essential goods could be added to the list of exempted items.
Finally, MP Lewis sought clarity on a previously announced collaboration with the Audit Team Sint Maarten to bolster compliance efforts, which was absent from the current budget.
Questions to the Minister of General Affairs
Addressing high-profile legal and property cases, MP Lewis requested an update on the “Jaijo Commercial Building” legal dispute, which allegedly carries significant financial consequences due to its use as the headquarters of the National Detective Agency (Landsrecherche). He also asked about the government’s decision to halt the transfer of the Exam Bureau to the old First Caribbean Bank and whether compensatory payments are planned for the property’s owners.
Topics for the Minister of VROMI
Critical understaffing across key departments of the Ministry of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment, and Infrastructure (VROMI) was a focal point of MP Lewis’ questions. He asked how the ministry plans to address these shortages, with specific recruitment targets set for 2025, and how it aims to retain skilled personnel.
Housing policy and environmental enforcement received considerable attention. Lewis probed for measurable outcomes of the new national housing policy and updates on VROMI’s legislative efforts, including the timeline for finalizing the VROMI Landsverordening and its impact on stakeholder engagement. He also sought clarity on plans to address conflicting land use issues and introduced questions about improving waste management, flood prevention, and pollution reduction.
Furthermore, MP Lewis questioned the ministry’s approach to ensuring better infrastructure maintenance, enforcing environmental norms, and integrating public feedback into zoning laws.
Questions to the Minister of Justice
The state of law enforcement and justice personnel drew sharp questions. MP Lewis asked about retroactive payments and pension prioritization for justice workers, as well as updates on national decrees affecting justice personnel. He raised alarms over delays in the availability of police records (VOG) and immigration services, highlighting the impact of such inefficiencies on the public.
Facility conditions featured prominently, with Lewis noting the deteriorating state of the police headquarters and requesting cost estimates for repairs. Additionally, he inquired about the police holding cells in Philipsburg and whether discussions are ongoing regarding universal insurance coverage for justice workers.
Questions to the Minister of Education, Culture, Youth, and Sports (ECYS)
MP Lewis posed several critical questions to the ECYS Minister, focusing on inclusive education, curriculum reform, and teacher compensation. He pressed for updates on integrating student needs into an inclusive education system and inquired about the timeline for standardizing student assessments. Staffing shortages, curriculum improvements for adult learners, and alignment of vocational training with labor market demands also surfaced.
He sought answers on how revisions to the job classification book and teacher compensation study would benefit educators. Additionally, MP Lewis questioned plans to sustain youth programs and strategies to evaluate the success of sports initiatives, such as their role in promoting health and community engagement.
Questions to the Minister of VSA
Regarding the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development, and Labor (VSA), MP Lewis requested details on the formation of a new commission to address Zorgfondsen concerns. Questions included its composition, oversight, expected costs, and the rationale behind forming the commission, given that problems had already been identified.
Questions to the Minister of TEATT
Economic growth through sustainable tourism dominated MP Lewis’ questions for the Ministry of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport, and Telecommunication (TEATT). He asked about the return on investment (ROI) for campaigns like “Sweet St. Maarten Spice” and queried the expected outcomes of the MSC Cruises campaign. He also questioned budget allocations for tourism development, including support for Philipsburg’s revitalization.
MP Lewis further inquired about tourism-driven job creation, plans to promote lesser-known areas of Sint Maarten, and strategies for attracting repeat visitors through personalized marketing. Data utilization in tourism policies and measures to safeguard tourism in the event of natural disasters also came under scrutiny.
Addressing Accountability and Oversight
Throughout his comprehensive questioning, MP Lewis emphasized the need for transparency, accountability, and measurable outcomes across ministries. He highlighted issues of quality control, cost efficiency, and the transfer of knowledge related to consultant-led projects. Lewis also stressed the value of timely public reporting and meaningful stakeholder engagement in policymaking processes.
The Central Committee Meeting underscored MP Lyndon Lewis’ commitment to rigorous oversight and his demand for actionable solutions to address Sint Maarten’s pressing challenges. The ministers are expected to provide detailed responses to these queries in the days ahead.
