PHILIPSBURG:--- In his role as regional director and various capacities over the years, SIBA recognized Mr. Ellis last weekend, primarily in his role as Claims Director at Nagico, one of the leading insurance Companies in the Caribbean.

SIBA members primarily represent the rights of customers to a fast and fair settlement in contracts known as insurance policies. While sales representatives often highlight the attractive features of a policy, customers are often left at a disadvantage in terms of understanding their rights versus obligations when a claim arises.

The actions of a claims director are therefore critical in giving customers a good experience of the insurance sector, a role in which Mr. Ellis always observed law, policy wording, and jurisprudence.

While parties were not always pleased with each outcome, there was always evidence of fairness and reasonableness in his decisions.

Now retired, SIBA took a moment to present Mr. Ellis with a token of recognition, as his work was impactful and a reminder that the sector plays a meaningful role in safeguarding the hard-earned assets, risks and liabilities customers entrust the sector insure.

The common consensus of SIBA is that Mr. Eric Ellis, with his calm demeanor, low-keyed work style and dedication to doing what is fair, should be considered a silent giant to the Insurance Sector.

Niel D. Henderson

President

WILLEMSTAD/PHILIPSBURG – The Centrale Bank van Curaçao en Sint Maarten (CBCS) is aware
of recent claims regarding the possible circulation of counterfeit Caribbean guilder banknotes – specifically the Cg 20. At this stage, neither the CBCS nor the police have received any of
the banknotes in question. As such, we have not had the opportunity to examine any of these notes and therefore cannot confirm whether they are indeed counterfeit.
We wish to reassure the public that the Caribbean guilder banknotes issued by the CBCS incorporate state-of-the-art security features that are extremely difficult to replicate. These features ensure the highest levels of protection against counterfeiting.
While the probability of counterfeit Caribbean guilder banknotes successfully entering circulation is low, we encourage members of the public to remain vigilant and to familiarize themselves with the security features of the Caribbean guilder banknotes. Furthermore, if you suspect that you have received a counterfeit note, please report it immediately to the police or the CBCS.
For more information on how to identify genuine banknotes, please visit https://www.caribbean guilder.com/banknotes-security-features or download the My Caribbean Guilder app.

Willemstad, July 5, 2025
CENTRALE BANK VAN CURAÇAO EN SINT MAARTEN

PHILIPSBURG:---  The National Recovery Program Bureau (NRPB) and the World Bank are addressing a series of pressing questions concerning the termination of contracts under the Emergency Recovery Project 1 (ERP-1). The developments, which affect critical public works on St. Maarten, have sparked concerns over project timelines, financial implications, and the future of key infrastructure for education and community development.

Large Contract Size Explored

One of the central issues raised was the bundling of multiple projects into three large-scale contracts amounting to USD 13.1 million. The NRPB explained that grouping works of similar scope is standard practice in donor-funded projects. This approach enables economies of scale, mitigates logistical challenges, and accelerates project delivery. Specifically, combining multiple school and community facilities into one contract helped streamline procurement and ensure consistent quality standards across all sites.

Contractor's Legal Status and Recovery Measures

Regarding the legal standing of the contractor, the NRPB confirmed that no legal action has been taken against the bureau or the World Bank. However, the recovery process for the 10% advance payments provided under the two terminated contracts is currently under legal review. These payments, approximately USD 800,000, are safeguarded through guarantees issued under the terms of the contracts.

Limited Timeframe for ERP-1 Projects

With less than six months remaining under ERP-1, the likelihood of completing the affected works appears slim. The NRPB stated that discussions are underway with the government and the World Bank to explore avenues for continuing or reallocating the projects beyond the current ERP-1 timeline. Updates will be provided once a clear strategy is determined.

Projects and Financial Impact

The terminated contracts cover a range of facilities critical to community development. These include:

• School Gyms (USD 3,983,836.72): Schools affected include St. Maarten Academy, Sundial VSBO School, and ten others.

• Community Sports Facilities (USD 3,999,995.59): Sites range from the Cole Bay and Simpson Bay sport courts to the Melford Hazel Sports Complex and Raoul Illidge Sports Facility.

• Emergency Operations Center (EOC) (USD 5,111,083.31): A facility designated for disaster response and recovery.

The total financial impact of the contract termination—with the threat of unused funds—currently stands at approximately USD 8 million. These funds are being reassessed, and the government, in cooperation with the NRPB and the World Bank, is determining the best way to protect the country’s interests.

School Gym Facilities:

• St. Maarten Academy
• Sundial VSBO School
• Sint Dominic Primary School
• Sister Regina Primary School
• Sister Magda Primary School
• Seventh Day Adventist School
• SXM Academy PSVE Vocational School
• Milton Peters College
• Mac Browlia Maillard Campus
• Dr. Alma Fleming School
• Asha Stevens Hillside Christian School
• Helmich Snijders Hillside Christian School

Community Sports Facilities:

• Cole Bay District Sport Court
• Cay Bay District Sport Court
• Dutch Quarter District Sport Court
• South Reward District Sport Court
• John Larmonie Community Center
• Jose Lake Sr. Ballpark
• Philipsburg Cultural & Community Center
• Melford Hazel Sports Complex
• Simpson Bay District Sport Court
• Johan Cruyff Sports Facility
• L.B. Scott Sports Auditorium
• Raoul Illidge Sports Facility
• Rupert I. Maynard Community Center

Delayed Timeline for Vulnerable Groups

Another critical question is why these projects have only begun nearly eight years after Hurricane Irma's devastation. According to the NRPB, the school gyms and sports facilities were not included in the original ERP-1 scope but were added following an Additional Financing agreement in mid-2023. The timeline reflects the availability of funding and the subsequent planning and procurement processes required to meet international standards.

Risk Analysis and Selection Process

Questions about awarding the contracts to an international firm rather than local companies were also addressed. The NRPB clarified that the World Bank’s procurement processes require a detailed risk assessment of all bidders, including their technical capacity, financial standing, and prior experience. The contractor in question met all criteria at the time of selection, with safeguards such as performance guarantees put in place to mitigate risks.

Path Forward

The NRPB, the government of St. Maarten, and the World Bank are collaborating to determine the future of the ERP-1 projects and ensure that public funds are utilized responsibly. Residents and stakeholders will be updated as soon as decisions are finalized and agreements are reached.

While the questions surrounding ERP-1 underscore the complexities of post-disaster recovery efforts, they also emphasize the importance of transparent communication and meticulous project management to safeguard long-term development priorities.

PHILIPSBURG:--- In the early morning hours of Saturday, July 5th, the Sint Maarten Police Force (KPSM) conducted a traffic control.

Officers issued six fines to drivers who were found operating vehicles without a valid driver’s license or current insurance coverage.

KPSM reminds all road users that having a valid driver’s license and maintaining up-to-date insurance is mandatory to operate a vehicle on public roads legally. Compliance with these requirements is crucial for the safety and protection of all road users. These measures are in place to ensure the safety of all motorists, passengers, and pedestrians.

KPSM encourages the community to remain vigilant and compliant with the traffic laws and to ensure their documents are in order.

KPSM Press Release.