On Wednesday, March 24th, fuel pump prices will be adjusted for gasoline.
The current price of unleaded gasoline is Naf.2.010 per liter, will be adjusted to the new price of Naf.2.115 per liter.
The current price of diesel is Naf.1.587 per liter, remains unchanged.
The Government of Sint Maarten regulates the prices of petroleum products by imposing a maximum price at which wholesalers and retailers can sell these products in the country to motorists.
At the international level, the prices of crude oil have experienced adjustments and local prices follow the international trend, and therefore prices are adjusted to reflect this.
The FD reports this today. People with lower incomes, on the other hand, have a significantly higher risk of dying from corona. This also applies to Surinamese and Turks living in the Netherlands, according to a study by the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) into corona mortality during the first corona wave at the beginning of last year, which ran until the end of June for this study.
The CBS emphasizes that the research only covers a short period, because the first corona wave only started in mid-March, so that relatively little data is available for an in-depth diagnosis and national analysis.
Until the end of June 2020, about 10,000 people died from the lung virus COVID-19, out of a total of 58,530 deaths, this means an excess mortality of 17 percent. Most corona deaths occurred, especially in the first weeks, in North Limburg and East Brabant, the Dutch ground-zero of the corona virus. The fewest deaths occurred in the three northern provinces. From the end of May and during the second and current wave, the number of deaths has been spread much more evenly across the country.
Income and assets Statistics Netherlands has divided the country into five groups for income and assets. The lowest-income group, up to 70 years old and living at home, is three times more likely to die from the coronavirus than the highest-income group.
Over the age of 70, this decreases to twice. There is virtually no difference in mortality between income groups among people in poor health and therefore receiving long-term care.
Previous studies have already shown that people with lower incomes live on average less old than people with high incomes. This may have to do with lifestyle (food, smoking, exercise) and physically demanding work, for example. People with low incomes are also often less able to work from home and are therefore more vulnerable to the corona virus.
Migrants In the period studied, more than 8,500 people with a Dutch background, 1042 with a Western migration background and 456 with a non-Western migration background (Africa, Latin America, almost all of Asia and Turkey) died.
Because the first wave started in East Brabant and North Limburg, where relatively fewer migrants live than in the big cities, for example, most people with a Dutch background were killed.
After the first three weeks, the groups with a migration background took relatively the upper hand. In particular, the group with a non-Western migration background was one and a half times more likely to die in the last weeks of the first corona wave than people of Dutch descent. This difference was mainly observed in the three major cities.
A possible explanation, according to Statistics Netherlands, is that diabetes, cardiovascular disease and obesity are more common in some migrant groups. As a result, infection with the corona virus more often has a serious course. Clear differences can be seen within the non-Western group of migrants. Relatively many Turks and Surinamese die, but fewer Moroccans and Antilleans.
More research needed Statistics Netherlands does not want to draw any premature conclusions, particularly at the point of migration. After all, the numbers are low and in the initial phase of the corona outbreak, the even national distribution was not yet there.
Statistics Netherlands also wants to conduct extensive research into the relationship between socio-demographic differences and pre-existing diseases and conditions in people who die from corona. Cardiovascular diseases in particular often play a role in people who become ill from the corona virus.
Statistics Netherlands will also investigate the second corona wave. In the autumn of 2020, there were better facilities to identify infections with the corona virus. Better treatment methods were also available.
At the same time, the willingness to adhere to the corona measures seemed significantly lower during the second corona wave.
COHO Is NOT LEGIT And Conflicts With Kingdom Statutes. The Hague The Kingdom Act on the Caribbean Body for Reform and Development (COHO) is in conflict with the Statute for the Kingdom. According to the Council of State, which therefore advises State Secretary Knops (BZK) not to present the bill in its current form to the parliaments of the four countries, because it falls short.
The advice is not (yet) public, but sources in The Hague call the conclusions of the Council of State painful for the Netherlands because the governments of Curaçao, Aruba and St. Maarten are largely in the right. The countries have always taken the position that the approach of the Netherlands undermines their autonomy enshrined in the Statute. In this fundamental criticism they think the Council of State is not appropriate
The Council supports the aim of the Kingdom Act to make the economies and public finances of the countries healthy, to strengthen public administration and to improve the conditions of the populations of Aruba, Curaçao and Sint Maarten. The Council of State calls it self-evident that the Netherlands imposes conditions on the granting of aid and links it to a reform program.
However, the Council of State finds the State Secretary’s approach literally inappropriate and doubts whether the set-up he has chosen will lead to successful results. The fear is that giving far-reaching powers to an army of Dutch civil servants will rather weaken the countries ‘independence and executive power, rather than the intended strengthening of the countries’ powers of implementation. Authorizations
The Council of State finds the division of responsibilities and powers between COHO and the governments and between COHO and the Financial Supervision Council unclear. The COHO has far-reaching powers that also belong to the national government, but at the same time the Council questions the independence of COHO as an (Dutch) independent administrative body because it functions to a significant extent under the direction of the Minister of the Interior and Kingdom Relations.
The Council of State also notes that the powers of the Minister of the Interior and Kingdom Relations are hardly limited: The Minister of the Interior and Kingdom Relations is not only placed above the COHO, but also above the national administration of the country concerned. The Council also believes that the law offers the Netherlands too much scope to change the rules of the game during the game because the conditions for further support can be unilaterally changed in the meantime. Another point of criticism is that the countries have little influence on the composition of the board of the COHO and that is bad for the support base, the warning reads.
Reich Council of Ministers
The advice of the Council of State was issued on 3 March and was sent by Knops to the prime ministers of the CAS countries at the end of last week with a request to respond to it. Ultimately, the decision on what to do with the advice in the Reich Council of Ministers must be cut: ignore or (fundamentally) amend the bill so that it does not conflict with the Statute.
Incidentally, COHO is already informally operational in anticipation of the completion of the legislative process. In accordance with the usual procedure, the advice of the Council of State is made public when the final bill is presented to parliaments for consideration. https://dossierkoninkrijksrelaties.nl/2021/03/23/raad-van-state-rijkswet-coho-rijdig-met-statuut/
Den Haag De Rijkswet Caribisch orgaan voor hervorming en ontwikkeling (COHO) is strijdig met het Statuut voor het Koninkrijk. Dat stelt de Raad van State die staatssecretaris Knops (BZK) dan ook aanraadt het wetsontwerp niet in de huidige vorm aan de parlementen van de vier landen aan te bieden, want het schiet tekort
Het advies is (nog) niet openbaar, maar bronnen in Den Haag noemen de conclusies van de Raad van State pijnlijk voor Nederland omdat de regeringen van Curaçao, Aruba en Sint Maarten grotendeels in het gelijk worden gesteld. De landen hebben altijd op het standpunt gestaan dat de aanpak van Nederland hun in het Statuut verankerde autonomie aantast. In die fundamentele kritiek vinden zij de Raad van State aan Niet passend
De Raad schaart zich achter het doel van de rijkswet om de economieën en de overheidsfinanciën van de landen gezond te maken, het openbaar bestuur te versterken en de omstandigheden van de bevolkingen van Aruba, Curaçao en Sint Maarten te verbeteren. Dat Nederland voorwaarden stelt aan de steunverlening en daar een hervormingsprogramma aan koppelt, noemt de Raad van State vanzelfsprekend
De Raad van State vindt de aanpak van de staatssecretaris echter letterlijk niet passend en betwijfelt of de door hem gekozen opzet tot succesvolle resultaten zal leiden. Vergaande bevoegdheden in handen geven van een legertje Nederlandse ambtenaren zal in plaats van de beoogde versterking van de zelfstandigheid en de uitvoeringskracht van de landen deze eerder verzwakken, is de vrees. Bevoegdheden
De Raad van State vindt de verdeling van verantwoordelijkheden en bevoegdheden, tussen COHO en de regeringen en tussen COHO en het College financieel toezicht onduidelijk. Het COHO beschikt over vergaande bevoegdheden die ook aan het landsbestuur toekomen maar tegelijkertijd plaatst de Raad vraagtekens bij de onafhankelijkheid van COHO als (Nederlands) zelfstandig bestuursorgaan omdat deze in belangrijke mate functioneert onder de regie van de minister van BZK
De Raad van State constateert bovendien dat de bevoegdheden van de minister van BZK nauwelijks zijn beperkt: De minister van BZK wordt niet alleen boven het COHO geplaatst, maar ook boven het landsbestuur van het desbetreffende land. De Raad vindt voorts dat de wet Nederland te veel ruimte biedt om de spelregels tijdens het spel te veranderen doordat tussentijds de voorwaarden voor verdere steun eenzijdig kunnen worden gewijzigd. Een ander punt van kritiek is dat de landen weinig invloed hebben op de samenstelling van het bestuur van het COHO en dat is slecht voor het draagvlak, luidt de waarschuwing.
Rijksministerraad
Het advies van de Raad van State is op 3 maart uitgebracht en eind vorige week door Knops aan de premiers van de CAS-landen gestuurd met het verzoek er op te reageren. Uiteindelijk moet de knoop wat te doen met het advies in de Rijksministerraad worden doorgehakt: negeren of het wetsontwerp (fundamenteel) aanpassen zodat het niet strijdig is met het Statuut.
Overigens is COHO vooruitlopend op de afronding van het wetgevingstraject al wel informeel operationeel. Conform de gangbare procedure wordt het advies van de Raad van State openbaar op het moment dat het uiteindelijke wetsvoorstel voor behandeling aan de parlementen wordt aangeboden. https://dossierkoninkrijksrelaties.nl/2021/03/23/raad-van-state-rijkswet-coho-strijdig-met-statuut/
WHY DOES ST MAARTEN NEED A GOVERNOR, IF WE HAVE A PRIME MINISTER? Since 2010, his position has been obsolete. And he is a CROOK, but he’s jaknikker for The Dutch. Using his power to jail out his criminal brother who ABUSED so many employees. Silveria represents the people who elected her. Eugene Holiday was APPOINTED by Holland, because who the St Maarteners voted un is too Black and not subservient enough for them. Holland knowingling reappointed this crook, KNOWING HE WAS USING HIS POWERS TO ORDER THE POLICE NOT TO ARREST HIS CRIMINAL BROTHER. I WAS THERE WHEN THE POLICE RAIDED THE GOVERNOR’S CRIMINAL BROTHER. The Governor called Peter de Witte, and they called the search of his Office off…. The group that attended the commemoration comprising of representatives from the Dutch and French side– The following address was made by His Excellency drs. Eugene Holiday, Governor of Sint Maarten on the occasion of the commemoration of the Treaty of Concordia on Tuesday.
The speech reads as follows:
Fellow St. Martiners, Good Morning,
Today, March 23, 2021, we come together from the north and south of our shared island to commemorate the Treaty of Concordia. What better place to do so than at this location, on Concordia Hill. We do so in the spirit of the treaty’s principle of “peaceful coexistence” between the people of St. Martin[1].
The Treaty recognized the need and value of cooperation for the development of our island. Since the signing of the Treaty 373 years ago today, its principle of peaceful coexistence has endured in the face of numerous and recurrent challenges and threats.
Speaking of challenges, we need not look far. For over a year now we are faced with the realities of the unprecedented impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on our health, on our economy, and on our way of life. And this following the devastation caused on our island by Hurricane Irma just three and half years ago.
Throughout these challenges we were and continue to be reminded of the interconnectedness of our island and people. We were reminded that whatever affects the south affects the north of our island and vice-versa. We were reminded that we form a natural bond that transcends across our north/south border. A bond anchored:
In the geographic reality that our island is one island; In our social reality that we are connected through close families ties and friendships; In our cultural reality that we have a shared history and traditions; and In the economic reality that we form an economic union. In short, a real enduring bond that shaped our way of life.
Passed on from generation to generation our way of life of peaceful coexistence has served to help shape and develop our friendly island into a truly unique Caribbean Gem, our Sweet St. Martin Land.
Today’s commemoration there-fore reconfirms the importance and value of our enduring bond and interactions. Faced with increasing threats from climate change and global pandemics as well as from the ever changing global environment, the Treaty reminds us that we must respond with greater cooperation and coordination to secure our future.
We must do so, in solidarity and with determination to meet the real and practical needs of the people of our shared island. That is through effective cooperation to secure work and protect the health and safety of our people.
My fellow St. Martiners,
In closing, on this 373rd anniversary of the Treaty of Concordia, let us therefore draw inspiration from its principle of cooperation to create new opportunities and secure the wellbeing of current and future generations of St Martiners.
On March 23rd, 2021, His Excellency, Governor drs. Eugene B. Holiday delivered an address on the occasion of the commemoration of the Treaty of Concordia. Standing on Concordia Hill at the Monument des Accords, Governor Holiday stated: The Treaty recognized the need and value of cooperation for the development of our island. Since the signing of the Treaty 373 years ago today, its principle of peaceful coexistence has endured in the face of numerous and recurrent challenges and threats. We form a natural bond that transcends across our north/south border. A bond anchored: In the geographic reality that our island is one island; In our social reality that we are connected through close families ties and friendships; In our cultural reality that we have a shared history and traditions; and In the economic reality that we form an economic union. In short, a real enduring bond that shaped our way of life. Passed on from generation to generation our way of life of peaceful coexistence has served to help shape and develop our friendly island into a truly unique Caribbean Gem, our Sweet St. Martin Land.
Read the full text here: http://www.kabgsxm.com/governors-journal.aspx?language=EN&id_journal=158
I am processing their official Court documents, translating to English, will post here, so CLICK back on this article
Breaking…Just In! Final Ruling From The Netherlands Supreme Court: Conviction of Politician, Former St Maarten Health Minister, Maria ‘Marietje’ Buncamper’s conviction for tax evasion remains in place. March 23, 2021 The conviction of a politician on Sint Maarten for tax evasion remains in place. The Supreme Court ruled that today.
The Case The politician was prosecuted by the Public Prosecution Service for evading tax for a number of years by not filing a tax return on time. This concerned income tax and company turnover tax returns. The Common Court of Justice sentenced the suspect on appeal to 18 months in prison, of which 12 months suspended and 240 hours of community service. The suspect lodged an appeal in cassation with the Supreme Court.
Cassation (complaints) In the cassation procedure, the defendant’s lawyer asked the Supreme Court to quash the conviction. One of the complaints was that the Court of Appeal had rejected several defenses of the defense aimed at declaring the Public Prosecution Service inadmissible in the prosecution on incorrect grounds. One of those defenses was that the suspect was entitled to a successful appeal to the so-called voluntary disclosure scheme because he had voluntarily submitted complaints. The defense also found the imposed punishment incomprehensible.
Judgment of the Supreme Court The Supreme Court ruled that the cassation complaints were unsuccessful. The Supreme Court dismissed the complaints without substantive reasons because the appeal in cassation is unfounded and does not raise any legally important new questions. With the judgment of the Supreme Court, the conviction and the sentence imposed are final.
On Monday, March 22nd, exactly one month after the vaccination campaign started on Sint Maarten, 10.000 persons have registered to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
This group consists of roughly 900 medical frontline workers, 3000 persons of 60 years or older, 2200 persons with underlying medical conditions, and the remaining 3900 essential workers and persons aged 18-59 without underlying medical conditions.
Currently, only the first three priority risk groups are being called forward to receive their vaccine, though the Vaccine Management Team (VMT) expects to continue to the final two groups soon.
The aim is still to vaccinate at least 70% of the population before the start of the hurricane season. Additionally, the VMT would like to keep the numbers low to prevent another outbreak of active cases as is currently the case on Curacao and Bonaire. This is due to the more contagious UK variant, from which we know has also been found on Sint Maarten. For the VMT to reach herd immunity, and prevent the virus from spreading, more registrations are needed, so the vaccination rate can be upscaled accordingly.
For those who are still doubtful, the VMT is planning different outreach activities to provide information and assistance with the registration process. This service is currently also provided at the Cole Bay and Dutch Quarter Community Helpdesk between 9:30 AM and 12:30 PM on weekdays.
Do not forget to bring any form ID, if you want to register yourself on the spot. Lastly, the VMT and the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labour (Ministry VSA) Collective Prevention Service (CPS) also offer information sessions for organizations. To set up an information session, please send an email to bvdmeijden@whiteyellowcross.org
Registration can be done via the online registration form which is available in English, Spanish, and Creole, and can be found via the following link: https://forms.sintmaartengov.org/form.aspx?v=OGtn05kNmb.
If you have a friend, parent, neighbor, or relative that may need assistance with registration, transportation, or emotional support, CPS asks the community to ‘please do your part’.
The paper-based “COVID Vaccine Registration Form” can be picked up at several locations, including CPS at the Vineyard Office Park Building, the Division of Labor Affairs at the Simpson Bay Public Service Center in Simpson Bay, doctors’ offices, the Government Administration Building, and select pharmacies.
If you need help with the registration process, your appointment, or wish for more information about the vaccination campaign, you can also call CPS at 914 or email: vaccination@sintmaartengov.org
The Hague Member of Parliament Attje Kuiken (PvdA) is very concerned about the increase in the number of corona infections in Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire. Now that the hospitals on the islands have reached their borders, she would like to see the Dutch government send the naval vessel Karel Doorman to the Caribbean again.
The Karel Doorman is a support ship with, among other things, a small hospital on board. When a major corona outbreak occurred on Sint Maarten last April, the ship, the largest in the navy, was directed to the Windward Islands.
Kuiken has today put written questions to Minister Hugo de Jonge (Health, Welfare and Sport) and State Secretary Raymond Knops (Internal Affairs and Kingdom Relations) to hear how serious the situation is on the ABC islands. She also asks whether the government is considering introducing a PCR requirement for all travelers with destination the Netherlands.
Below all questions from Attje Kuiken:
Can you indicate how many hospital admissions there are currently due to the Covid-19 infection on Bonaire?
How many of these hospital admissions stay on Bonaire and how many stay elsewhere? How many of these are in the intensive care unit?
Are you aware of any problems with the call center on Bonaire? If so, do you see opportunities to improve this? And if not, are you willing to inquire about this?
What is the state of affairs with regard to vaccination on Bonaire? Is there sufficient capacity available for the logistics related to vaccination?
Can you indicate how many hospital admissions there are currently due to the Covid-19 infection in Curaçao? How many of these are in the intensive care unit?
Are you aware of any measures to scale up regular healthcare in Curaçao? If so, what are the consequences? And if not, are you willing to inquire about this?
Is there a risk of intensive care overload, and if so, are you prepared to deploy ZMS Karel Doorman to ensure availability of care on the islands?
8 . Are you considering temporarily requiring a negative PCR test for travelers from Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire to the Netherlands? If not, why not? Kamerlid Kuiken: Stuur marineschip Karel Doorman naar ABC-eilanden Dossier Koninkrijksrelaties https://dossierkoninkrijksrelaties.nl/2021/03/23/kamerlid-kuiken-stuur-marineschip-karel-doorman-naar-abc-eilanden/
SINT MAARTEN The SSRP Income and Unemployment Support online portal is now open for application requests for the month of April 2021. Both programs of the St. Maarten Stimulus and Relief Program disburse ANG 1,150 for the applicable month to approved persons who demonstrate a financial need for the support. In order to receive continued financial assistance, new and existing applicants must submit a support request monthly through the online ssrp.sx web portal.
The Income Support program is open to Sole Proprietors, Vendor license holders, bus and taxi drivers, independent taxi drivers and independent tour bus operators. The COVID-19 Unemployment Support is open to individuals who can demonstrate that they were dismissed from their place of work after March 15, 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and are still unemployed.
If applying for Income Support for the first time, applicants must create an online account. To do this, applicants must go to the website: https://tinyurl.com/ssrpincome and proceed with the following process:
Complete the Income Support Application Form. Upload a copy of a valid Sint Maarten issued ID or Dutch passport (expired no longer than six (6) months). Upload a copy of a valid copy of the Chamber of Commerce & Industry registration, this is only required from sole proprietors (excerpt cannot be older than 6 months); Upload a copy of a valid (or not expired longer than 6 months as of the date application) vending permit (of any kind), bus or taxi license Upload a copy of the 2019 Income Tax Return, stamped by the Tax Inspectorate. If applying for Unemployment Support for the first time, persons will need to create an online account. To do this, applicants must go to the website: https://tinyurl.com/ssrpunemployed
Complete the COVID-19 Unemployment Support Application Online Form; Upload a copy of a valid Sint Maarten issued ID or Dutch passport (expired no longer than six (6) months). Upload a Letter of Termination or Dismissal (on Company letterhead with authorized signature and Company Stamp) specifying COVID-related dismissal; Upload a copy of the applicant’s last pay slip (from a payroll system with the Company’s name clearly visible) Applicants with existing online accounts should log in to their portal account and choose the month they wish to receive support for. Applicants should receive a confirmation e-mail indicating that their request was successfully submitted. To check the status of their request(s), applicants can log into their portal. If approved, the stimulus funds are disbursed to the applicant’s bank account at the end of the month. The deadline for April support requests is April 15, 2021 at 11:59pm.
For any further assistance or information, please send a message to SMDF’s SSRP Hotline at 554-9764
THE CONCORDIA AGREEMENT WAS SIGNED IN MY GRANDPARENTS YARD, SO THESE PHOTOS SHOW WHERE I WAS GREW UP AGE 3 UNTIL 12: Treaty of Concordia – 373 years of celebration Mont des Accords border. Unity and prosperity for Country Saint-Martin
