Continuation urgent Public meeting of Parliament regarding recent developments impacting the liquidity of N.V. GEBE
PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten – The House of Parliament will sit in a Public meeting on Wednesday, December 14, 2022. https://www.stmaartennews.org
The Public meeting which started on August 26, 2022 of the Parliamentary Year 2021-2022, with a continuation and adjournment on September 2, 2022 and again on October 14, 2022, will be reconvened on Wednesday at 09.00 hrs. in the General Assembly Chamber of the House at Wilhelminastraat #1 in Philipsburg. The Minister of General Affairs will be present. https://www.sxmpolice.wordpress.com
The agenda point is: Recent developments that impact the liquidity of the utility company and the ability of N.V. GEBE to continue as a going concern (IS/1189/2021-2022 dated August 15, 2022) This meeting was requested by MP L.N.L. de Weever, MP M.D. Gumbs, MP S.A. Wescot-Williams, MP C.T. Emmanuel. 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 and all health and safety protocols, including the wearing of a mask. https://www.angeliqueromou.wordpress.com
The House of Parliament is located across from the Court House in Philipsburg.
Great Bay- On Monday, December 12, 2022, thirty-five individuals successfully completed the Agroecology program; however, only twenty-seven individuals were present and were awarded certificates for the program, which was hosted by the Department of Community Development, Family & Humanitarian Affairs and Spaceless Gardens. Minister Ottley states “he considers himself to be blessed to be part of the second and third award ceremony and extended congratulations to the Ministry and the Department for working tirelessly and never let me down up to now”. As the Minister of TEAT in charge agriculture and this program blends in perfectly as agriculture is something I intend to push more when it relates to TEATT, he said. “We are actually trying to increase the budget and working along with Mr. Wyatt we are trying to increase the knowledge and importance of sustainability on St. Maarten. https://www.stmaartennews.org
The world is facing extreme prices and food shortage so for us to grow our own and know how to do it properly is something we need to move forward with. The Minister reminded the audience “in everything there are trials and tribulations. Nothing won’t happen as fast as we want it but once we commit ourselves we are on the right path. And I can tell you today that by looking at the room being full we are on the right path. So I would like to congratulate each and every one of you and I hope that seed that was planted in you, you can pass it on and we can continue to grow St. Maarten in the right direction.
Mr. Denicio Wyatt acknowledged and thanked the department of community development for working tirelessly at activities in the community until 7pm, 8pm or 9pm at night. Nothing comes easy but consistency brings success over a course of time no matter the type of goal one is trying to achieve. We will have our trials and tribulations but how we deal with them is what really matters. Mr. Wyatt said that we are living in some really trying times and hoped that the classes brought a certain level of knowledge and compassion most of all for what is going on in the world today. https://www.angeliqueromou.wordpress.com
Because no matter what happens in the world today it will affect each and every one of us. He went on to say there is always hope and if there is hope that means we have a chance and if we have a chance that means we have a choice. And if we have the will power to make the right choice we can take things in the right direction. “I feel way blessed to know that I played just a little part in each and every one of your lives to share my knowledge and story to bring you inspiration towards achieving the greater purpose for St. Maarten regarding agriculture and food security so that it can come to the point and be affordable and sustainable”, he said. Two recipients said they “learned a lot from Denicio and his life story motivated many.” One recipient admitted her surprise to learn that St. Maarten was an exporter of crops to the surrounding islands. Another recipient added “I planted fruit trees which took a while to grow but when they start to bear, they never stopped”. https://www.sxmpolice.wordpress.com
“I can proudly testify that it can work, we can grow food here and make a difference. The Agroecology program started on Monday May 16 and ended on Monday July 16, 2022. The program combined both theory and hands training focused on home gardening, food security and encouraged the community to “grow what they eat and eat what they grow”. https://www.sxmpolice2.wordpress.com
Moreover, participants learned the importance of “climate change”, “seed germination”, “plant science”, “layers of the soil”, “soil types”, “plant-production systems”, “plant care and maintenance”, “history of agriculture on sxm”, agri-business and creating resilient and sustainable communities. The workshops took place three times per week at the Eco St. Maarten Agricultural Research and Development Foundation in St. Peters. https://www.sxmpolitico.wordpress.com
Philipsburg – On Wednesday, December 7, 2022, the Government of Sint Maarten represented by the Hon. Minister of Justice Anna Richardson and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) represented by Director of the UNOPS Multi-Country Office for Panama, Costa Rica and the English & Dutch Speaking Caribbean, Mr. Alejandro Rossi signed the Letter of Agreement for the execution of the first phase of the new prison project termed “Sint Maarten Rule of Law Facilities”.
The Sint Maarten Rule of Law Facilities project will define a new model of prison infrastructure that will benefit both the prison population and the employees of the prison, ensuring full compliance of human rights and the consideration of social, gender and environmental components in its design. The first phase of this project is funded by the Government of the Netherlands through its Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations (BZK) for an amount of US$ 4 million. Phase 1 is estimated to take 20 months in total, and will deliver a comprehensive master plan, that will include the design for transitional facilities for the temporary housing of prisoners, as well as the design and procurement process for the construction of the long term facility. https://www.stmaartennews.org
Present at the signing of the agreements were the Hon. Prime Minister Ms. Silveria E. Jacobs, State Secretary for the Interior and Kingdom Relations and Digitisation Mrs. Alexandra van Huffelen, who joined from The Hague virtually, Minister Richardson, and UNOPS representative Mr. Rossi, who were all supported by their support staff. Along with the signing of the Letter of Agreement between Sint Maarten and UNOPS, a Project Agreement was also signed between State Secretary van Huffelen on behalf of the Netherlands government and Mr. Rossi on behalf of UNOPS.
Due to several structural challenges over the past decades, Sint Maarten’s detention infrastructure reached a critical juncture, as a result of which firm decisions had to be taken on a new course for the country’s detention system. To this end, the Minister of Justice with support from her colleague Ministers and the Netherlands’ Ministry of Interior and Kingdom Relations, since taking office in 2020, made strong efforts towards improving the country’s current prison facility for both employees and prisoners. A strong criminal justice system is a fundamental pillar for compliance with human rights and freedoms, legal certainty and good governance for citizens.
At the signing of the agreement Minister Richardson stated, “I am elated that the realization of Sint Maarten’s new prison is one step closer with the signing of the Letter of Agreement and the Project Agreement. I am looking forward to a new prison that will offer sufficient detention capacity and being a facility that complies with all international standards regarding human rights.
“I would further like to sincerely thank the Council of Ministers for its support, the State Secretary and her team at BZK, Mr. Alejandro Rossi and his extraordinary team at UNOPS, and my team consisting of members from my Cabinet, Judicial Affairs, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DBB) and the prison. Thank you for helping the country arrive at this point and I look forward to the start of phase one of this project”.
State Secretary Van Huffelen emphasized the importance of the signing of the agreements for the Sint Maarten community stating, “We are very happy to be signing this agreement today. A lot of people have been working very hard towards this moment to ensure the building of a new prison that will be up to international standards. The two countries as well as the United Nations, have joined forces to get this off the ground. It is an important step forward.”
The government of the Netherlands has made US$30 million available for the improvements of the prison system of Sint Maarten, of which US$4 million is provided for the first phase of this project. State Secretary Van Huffelen stated, “I am very pleased that by joining our efforts, we can ensure that the prison system on Sint Maarten improves and will be in line with international standards to ensure human rights. I am happy that together we are making this happen for the people of Sint Maarten.”
Photo caption: UNOPS representative Mr. Alejandro Rossi and Honorable Minister of Justice Anna E. Richardson signing the Letter of Agreement at the Government Administration Building in Philipsburg on December 7, 2022.
Photo caption: Honorable Minister of Justice Anna E. Richardson, Honorable Prime Minister Silveria E. Jacobs and UNOPS representative Mr. Alejandro Rossi
Photo caption: Head of Judicial Affairs Romona Ismail, Prison Director Steven Carty, Senior Policy Advisor of the Cabinet of the Minister of Justice Johishi Romney, Honorable Minister of Justice Anna E. Richardson, Honorable Prime Minister Silveria E. Jacobs, UNOPS representative Mr. Alejandro Rossi, Interim Head of Foreign Affairs Patrice Gumbs and Policy Advisor at the Point Blanche Prison and House of Detention Demi Bute.
Prime Minister Mark Rutte, ministers and state secretaries spoke for more than four hours in the official residence of the Prime Minister. People were invited from the Netherlands, Aruba, Curaçao, Sint Maarten and Suriname who from various backgrounds are involved in the discussion about the aftermath of slavery.
“I really felt heard for the first time,” said Mercedes Zandwijken, founder of the Keti Koti Dialogue Table. She thinks it is good that the cabinet has shown that it wants to talk to the communities concerned about the excuses.
Machiel Keestra, co-founder of the same foundation, thinks that those present made it clear to the cabinet that apologies should not be made hastily on December 19. “If there is a consensus in this group that the apologies are unacceptable, then we shouldn’t do that.”
Rene Violenus, the minister plenipotentiary of Sint Maarten, speaks of a “good conversation” and says he is “hopeful about the future”. He said that the Dutch cabinet has shown that it is open to suggestions.
According to Linda Nooitmeer, chair of the National Institute of the Dutch Slavery History and Legacy (NiNsee), it was necessary to have a good conversation. “There was some unrest and that was a pity. That is of course also because a lot has been leaked.” Rutte himself also called the leaks about the cabinet’s intentions “annoying”. https://www.sxmgovernment.com
Nooitmeer says attendees agreed that it’s important to “bring the communities, the communities of people with African roots,” because that’s what it’s all about. According to her, this can be started from now on.
At the end of November, it was leaked that the cabinet plans to apologize for slavery on December 19, in the run-up to a commemorative year. This led to the astonishment and frustration of several politicians, activists, organizations and others who would have liked to be more involved.
On July 1, it is exactly 160 years ago that slavery was officially abolished and 150 years ago that it also came to an end in practice. For that reason, that date is of great symbolic importance to many.
CDFHA & St. Maarten Academy PSVE host men’s day panel discussion for students
As a continuation of this year’s International Men’s Day activities the Department of Community Development, Family & Humanitarian Affairs (CDFHA) and the St. Maarten Academy PSVE joined forces to host an all-male panel discussion under the theme “Things I wished my father taught me” for its male students on Wednesday November 23 2022 from 8am-10.30am. International Men’s Day, is observed annually on November 19, is a day to promote positive role models, raise awareness and draw attention to the issues affecting men and boys and their wellbeing. The panel featured several community leaders namely Mr. Clifton Wilson, Mr. Mauricio Dembrook and Mr. Sjorensly Valies and moderated by Mr. Riegnald “Bakari” Arrindell. Also, Mr. Valies discussed the importance of exercising self-control (thoughts and actions) and implored the young men not to ignore their mental health. He reminded the audience of their unique ability to make their dreams come through providing they create a plan for their lives. https://www.stmaarten.news
From left to right: Mr. Mauricio Dembrook, Mr. Riegnald Arrindell, Mr. Sjorensly Valies and Mr. Clifton Wilson In his presentation on “Starting & managing a family business” by Mr. Mauricio Dembrook stressed on the importance of developing a strong work ethic, mastering ones unique skillset and shared the ins and outs of working for one’s self and dispelled the myths about being one’s own boss. Mr. Dembrook also encouraged students to acquire the requisite knowledge and skills to add value to the work place, family, school and other areas of their lives. https://www.stmaartennews.org
Additionally, Mr. Valies & Mr. Wilson highlighted the virtues of volunteerism & activism to improve the quality of life of others and to make a difference in their respective communities. They called on the young men to join a foundation to support worthy causes. The Men’s Day panel discussion sought to bridge the gap between in class learning and real world experience and inspire them to become self-motivated leaders. The Department of Community Development, Family & Humanitarian Affairs wishes to thank the Management, staff and students of the Academy PSVE for its support and assistance in making the International Men’s Day project a huge success.
Video 12 Justice Minister Anna Rablis Richardson is asked once again about the deaths at the hand of the Mental Health Foundation. 3 deaths being investigated STILL. One female, Lance Thomas is one of the men killed.
Video 12 Justice Minister Anna Rablis Richardson is asked once again about the deaths at the hand of the Mental Health Foundation. 3 deaths being investigated STILL. One female, Lance Thomas is one of the men killed.
