SINT MAARTEN (POND ISLAND) - Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Traffic and Telecommunication (TEATT), Grisha Heyliger-Maarten, has expressed deep alarm and strong condemnation regarding GEBE’s recent fuel clause increase of approx. 10 cents, which has already appeared on electricity bills for April consumption period, despite GEBE’s public statement that the increase would take effect in May.

“Consumers are already under tremendous financial pressure,” the Minister stated. “To announce that a new rate will take effect in May, but then quietly apply it to April bills is unacceptable, misleading and a breach of public trust. The public deserves clarity, not confusion. This is not how a GEBE’s management should treat the people of St. Maarten.”

She emphasized that under the Electricity Concession and the Electricity Concession Ordinance, no tariff component, including fuel clause, may be adjusted without proper justification, supporting data and Government review and approval. “These safeguards exist to protect consumers,” she said. “They were not respected, and that failure lies squarely with GEBE’s management.”

She noted that this latest development follows a series of challenges at GEBE over the past years, including prolonged billing disruptions, governance instability and repeated public concerns about transparency and service reliability. These issues were further highlighted in the 2025 evaluation conducted by the Regulatory Authority of Curaçao (RAC) in collaboration with BTP, which identified gaps in data reporting, maintenance planning and tariff methodology.

“Taken together, these events show why independent oversight is not an option, it is urgently necessary,” the Minister said. “GEBE has to be transparent, accountable and stable, because that is what the people deserve. The current pattern of decision making is simply not acceptable.”

To address longstanding gaps in transparency and accountability, the Minister of TEATT has finalized a joint Ministerial Decree designating the Bureau of Telecommunication and Post (BTP as the legally mandated Supervisor under the Electricity Concession Ordinance.

The decree has been signed by the Minister of TEATT and transmitted for co-signature of the Minister of VROMI, after which it will be published and take immediate effect.

“This Decree activates a supervisory mechanism that has existed in law since its establishment but was never implemented,” Minister Heyliger-Marten explained. “It is a critical step toward protecting consumers both residents and businesses.

Once in force, the decree empowers BTP to:

• Request and verify all operational and financial data from GEBE.
• Review tariff structures, methodologies and fuel clause calculations.
• Conduct inspections, audits and technical assessments.
• Monitor compliance with all concession obligations.
• Oversee renewable-energy obligations under Article 14 of the Concession.

The Minister confirmed that BTP has already been instructed once the Decree takes effect to immediately investigate the basis, timing and legality of the recent fuel clause increase.

The Minster also noted that GEBE has not complied with the Government’s formal request to submit a complete tariff structure proposal, despite repeated reminders.

“The most responsible way to set tariffs is through verified, cost-based information,” she said. “Only GEBE has full insight into its operational costs. Government cannot lawfully approve or adjust tariffs without receiving and validating that information.”

Because GEBE has failed to submit the required tariff structure, BTP will now begin the process of independently reviewing and reconstructing the tariff methodology to ensure fairness, legality and consumer protection.

The Minister also acknowledged the ongoing efforts of the Prime Minister to stabilize GEBE’s governance and strengthen corporate oversight.

“The Prime Minister has taken important steps to stabilize the company and reinforce internal controls,” she said. “This decree complements those efforts by ensuring that the regulatory side is equally strengthened.”

The Minister emphasized “this is done to protect the people of St. Maarten, ensuring that no tariff adjustment, fuel clause or otherwise is ever implemented again without transparency and proper justification. The days of unilateral decisions by GEBE’s management without oversight are coming to an end.”

Once the decree takes effect, BTP will have full legal authority to intervene, verify data, review tariff calculations and ensure that future decisions are fair, transparent and based on verified information. “I ask the public for patience as we move swiftly to correct these issues and protect consumers of GEBE.”

SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - In recognition of International Nurses Day and the conclusion of Nurses Week activities, Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor (VSA), Richinel Brug, took a moment to personally thank the nurses within the Ministry of VSA for their continued dedication and service to the people of Sint Maarten.

As part of the observance, Minister Brug presented the nurses with a small token of appreciation as a gesture of gratitude for the tireless work they continue to perform every day on the frontlines of healthcare.

“Nurses play an essential role within our healthcare system and our society,” Minister Brug stated. “Their commitment, compassion, professionalism, and sacrifice often go beyond what many people see on a daily basis. This simple gesture is only a small way of saying thank you for the tremendous work they continue to do for our people.”

Minister Brug emphasized that healthcare workers, particularly nurses, remain one of the pillars of the country’s healthcare system and deserve continued recognition and support for the demanding responsibilities they carry.

“Whether in clinics, institutions, community care, inspections, elderly care, or public health services, our nurses continue to show up every single day to care for others. Their work does not go unnoticed, and they deserve to feel appreciated not only during Nurses Week, but throughout the entire year,” the Minister added.

The Minister concluded by extending his sincere appreciation to all nurses across Sint Maarten for their dedication, resilience, and continued service to the community.

SINT MAARTEN (POND ISLAND) - Students enrolled in the University of St. Martin’s Interpersonal Communication course (SPE 115) concluded the semester with a series of engaging and creative final presentations that highlighted teamwork, research, communication, and real-world application.

Facilitated by instructor Shobhan Giterson, the course challenged students to move beyond traditional classroom presentations by developing interactive group projects centered around interpersonal communication, culture, relationships, and human behavior. 

As part of their final assessment, students were required to invite guests to attend the presentations, creating an interactive atmosphere that included both in-person attendees at USM and students from St. Eustatius who participated remotely throughout the semester.

The final projects reflected a wide range of creativity and collaboration. One group produced a mini documentary based on field interviews conducted with individuals from various cultural backgrounds, while another developed an interactive communication game.

Students also incorporated audience participation through a “Family Feud”-style quiz and explored complex social themes through dramatic role play presentations focused on toxic relationships and interpersonal dynamics. 

To provide students with professional feedback and practical exposure, presentations were assessed by invited guests from within the USM and wider St. Maarten community.

Assessors included USM faculty member and author Mr. Kenver Regis, who recently released his book Good Loving: What Men Want in Women and What Women Want in Men; USM alumna Ria Adams, who completed her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology; USM faculty member and proud alumna Claudia Connor of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport (MECYS); and social worker Nkosazana Illis, who specialized in counseling and couples guidance in the Netherlands. 

According to Giterson, the course was designed to help students connect theory with real-life experiences and social interactions. “It is important that we prepare students for the real dynamics they face out in the real world,” Giterson shared. “Many times people judge others because of a lack of awareness or understanding about a particular culture or belief system.

The more we understand each other and where people come from, the more respect and empathy we can develop.” 

During the final weeks of the semester, each student group was required to conduct field research and interview individuals from different cultural and social backgrounds to help develop the content for their projects and support the communication theories explored throughout the course.

Through this process, students gained firsthand insight into how communication influences relationships, teamwork, culture, and everyday social interactions. 

Giterson noted that the final projects reflected not only what students learned academically, but also their ability to collaborate, adapt, problem-solve, and engage meaningfully with others.

“It was rewarding to see how students prepared, the challenges they encountered, and how they worked together to overcome them,” she added. “They made the projects real, relatable, and meaningful, not just for themselves, but also for the guests they invited. The Interpersonal Communication course (SPE 115) focuses on understanding human interaction, cultural awareness, teamwork, and relationship dynamics.” 

USM also reminds prospective students that applications for the Summer 2026 semester remain open. Placement testing for Summer admissions, as well as early testing for the Fall 2026 semester, will take place on Friday, May 15, at the USM campus.

Persons interested in starting or continuing their studies are encouraged to contact the Admissions Department or Student Services Center at USM for additional information on available programs and enrollment opportunities.

SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - The Public Prosecutor’s Office has filed an appeal against the verdicts of the Court of First Instance of Sint Maarten in the “Lisbon” criminal case, which concerns bribery of public officials.

The appeal was filed in the cases of R.B., R.A.D.S., and S.L.G.. The Court rendered its judgment in this case on April 29. The main defendant, R.B., was suspected of having accepted bribes from three individuals while serving as a member of the Parliament of Sint Maarten, including by accepting bribes in exchange for favoring these individuals.

The Court ruled that bribery could not be proven in two cases. In one case, the Court did find bribery proven. The Public Prosecutor’s Office has reviewed the verdicts but does not agree with several of the Court’s legal considerations, nor with the sentence imposed.

For that reason, it has been decided to file an appeal against the verdicts in the cases of R.B., R.A.D.S., and S.L.G.. The Public Prosecutor’s Office emphasizes that cases of this nature strike at the heart of democratic governance.

Integrity in public office is essential to maintaining public trust and ensuring that decisions are made in the interest of society as a whole, without being influenced by personal gain.

Corruption, both passive and active, undermines fair decision-making, distorts economic opportunities, and erodes trust in public institutions. Addressing such conduct remains a priority within the broader efforts to uphold the rule of law in Sint Maarten.

The “Lisbon” investigation was conducted by the Joint Investigation Team (RST) led by the Central Team of the Public Prosecutor’s Office of Curaçao, Sint Maarten, Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba.

RST is a multidisciplinary investigative unit active in the Caribbean parts of the Kingdom and focuses on complex and cross-border criminal investigations. The Central Team focuses on a specialized approach to combating corruption and subversive crime.

The team conducts criminal investigations with a financial-economic component that may involve, among others, politically exposed persons (PEPs), public officials, government entities, facilitators, and public sector organizations.

The Public Prosecutor’s Office will further appeal the case to the Joint Court of Justice.