SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY, (DCOMM) – The Inspectorate of Economic and Transport Affairs (IETA) has reported a substantial rise in public transport enforcement from June to December 2025, resulting in more than ANG 30,200 in fines across the transportation sector.

The increase in enforcement activity coincides with strengthened operational capacity within the Inspectorate, leading to more frequent roadside controls, improved coverage, and enhanced monitoring of public transport operators.

September and November recorded the highest enforcement totals, each exceeding ANG 7,900.

During this period, inspectors identified several recurring violations, including:

Operating passenger transport without the required permit;

Failure to comply with vehicle inspection (Keuring) requirements;

Service standard violations under the National Decree Passenger Transport, such as unsafe vehicle conditions, improper passenger handling, and failure to meet minimum operational obligations;

Unlawful fare practices;

Private vehicles engaging in commercial passenger transport;

Buses and taxis accounted for most of the violations, with several cases involving private vehicles operating illegally as public transport.

Head of the Inspectorate, Lucien Wilson, stated that the enforcement results reflect IETA’s commitment to improving safety, professionalism, and fairness within the public transportation system.

“These outcomes demonstrate the importance of consistent, visible enforcement. Our focus remains on passenger safety and ensuring that compliant operators are protected from unsafe and unfair practices.”

IETA - Section Transport will continue routine and targeted inspections in the coming months, prioritizing safety risks, permit compliance, and service quality standards.

About IETA

The Inspectorate of Economic and Transport Affairs work under the Ministry of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport & Telecommunication (TEATT) to uphold safety, transparency, and compliance across Sint Maarten’s transportation and economic sectors.

SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) The Green Dream Projects Foundation proudly recognizes Mr. Steve “Skippy” Hammond as a devoted friend and enthusiastic supporter of our environmental education and waste-management initiatives. Over the past two years, Steve has shown unwavering commitment to promoting green ideas, strengthening recycling efforts, and inspiring sustainable solutions for a cleaner, more innovative St. Maarten.

With more than 20 years of experience in the Shipping and Tourism Industry, Steve has built a remarkable reputation across the Caribbean as a professional who merges logistics expertise with environmental consciousness. A native of Australia and a Caribbean resident for 25 years, he has become a respected figure within maritime, tourism, and recycling circles—admired for his leadership, innovation, and community-minded approach.

As Co-Founder of All Caribbean A & C N.V., the largest trader of recyclable materials in the Eastern Caribbean, Steve has guided major logistics operations for shipping recyclables throughout the region and has established trusted partnerships with Tropical Shipping, IGY Marinas, and leading cruise lines such as Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line. His forward-thinking strategies have helped small island states overcome storage and transportation challenges that often limit recycling success.

Steve’s outstanding contributions have also been recognized by the St. Maarten Hospitality & Trade Association (SHTA)—he was voted Trade Manager of the Year in 2007, and later honored with the Most Innovative Product/Idea/Service Award in 2013. For 15 consecutive years, he managed The America’s Cup Regatta, one of the Caribbean’s top-ranked tourist attractions, demonstrating his ability to connect business excellence with destination sustainability.

Today, Steve continues to apply his experience and leadership as he spearheads a dynamic team at the new Dock Maarten Marina, which is rapidly gaining recognition and glowing reviews throughout the maritime and tourism industry. His current role embodies his lifelong dedication to elevating St. Maarten’s image as a forward-looking, environmentally conscious island.

As a friend of the Green Dream Projects Foundation, Steve’s collaboration and advice have been invaluable in shaping our youth-driven recycling and education programs. His belief that true progress requires both community participation and practical logistics continues to guide our approach to waste reduction, export readiness, and environmental awareness in schools.

The Foundation extends heartfelt gratitude to Mr. Steve “Skippy” Hammond for his ongoing support, encouragement, and example. His achievements remind us that visionary leadership and friendship can transform ideas into action—and action into lasting environmental progress for generations to come.

By Claude R. Javois, President – Green Dream Projects Foundation

SABA/SINT EUSTATIUS - Yesterday, the public entities of Bonaire, St. Eustatius, and Saba (Caribbean Netherlands CN), and the Ministries of Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS), Justice and Security (JenV), Education, Culture and Science (OCW), Social Affairs and Employment (SZW), and the Interior and Kingdom Relations (BZK) signed the joint Administrative Agreement "Preventing and Combating Violence against Women, Domestic Violence, and Child Abuse 2026–2029."

With this agreement, the islands and the Dutch government are taking the next step in protecting women, children, and families in the Caribbean Netherlands.

Joint Commitment

All parties involved are thus committed to a safe and equal society, in which there is no place for violence. The primary goal of the administrative agreement is to further strengthen prevention, detection, interventions, and support services, and to ensure greater coherence between the actions of the public entities and ministries.

This includes increased and more efficient collaboration between support organizations, the establishment of a knowledge center for professionals, and the development of training courses for citizens and professionals. Leiden University, in collaboration with the public entities and the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS), is also launching a research study on sexual violence and sexually inappropriate behavior.

State Secretary Tielen (Youth, Prevention and Sport): “I want children and women to be safe and able to progress in life in good health: physically, mentally, and socially. Violence against women, domestic violence, and child abuse affect not only the victims but society as a whole. Dropping out of school or work, trauma, and the strain on informal caregivers are all dire consequences of this type of violence. We can only tackle this complex problem together — with the police and the judiciary, healthcare providers, the education sector, and every citizen who cares about a safe and healthy society. I am pleased with the agreement that has now been reached. Let us do everything we can to ensure the safety of children, young people, and women. Their future is our future.”

Working together for a safe home and a safe society

Important steps have already been taken on the islands in recent years. For example, advice and reporting centers for domestic violence and child abuse have been established, women's shelters are available, and professionals are receiving training to better recognize signs of violence.

Awareness campaigns have also been launched to make violence a topic of discussion. The new administrative agreement further develops this approach. It contributes to the next step towards enabling ratification of the Istanbul Convention in the Caribbean Netherlands. This Council of Europe convention concerns preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence.

SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - The Windward Islands Bank (WIB) presented DeAngelo Duzanson with a significant donation here on December 3 toward an upcoming government studies book, said Jacqueline Sample, president of House of Nehesi Publishers (HNP).

“SIMART’N History and Culture: Election Map of Activities, Results and More,” compiled by Louis L. Duzanson, is the manuscript submitted a few months ago to HNP for publication as a book by project principals Oretha Duzanson and DeAngelo Duzanson.

As part of its 65^th anniversary, the bank is honoring “the island’s heritage … reaffirming its commitment to community development through a special contribution toward realizing the publication of the book,” WIB said in a release last Thursday.

The compilation by Duzanson, who passed away in 2020 at age 71, focuses on voting and electoral processes, forms of government, leadership commentary, national ordinances, and constitutional matters from 2000 to 2016, said HNP. It includes a “roll call of elected leaders” covering 1951–2016; very brief references on the beginnings of Dutch colonialism relative to St. Martin in 1630; and developments in the Dutch colonies in the Caribbean from 1936 to 1954.

Another section traces the 1950s–1986 calls for structural changes in the six Netherlands territories, culminating in the dismantling of the Netherlands Antilles. Throughout, HNP noted, Duzanson’s lively, informed, and questioning voice makes the manuscript an original work that, when published, will serve both popular readers and government studies.

In the Thursday news article Daisy Tyrol-Carolus, Country Head of Windward Islands Bank, repeated her encouragement “for other organizations and institutions to get on board and support this initiative when approached. Those interested in learning more about the publication … may contact the coordinator directly at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or +1 (721) 553-8488.

“Endeavors like these enrich cultural awareness, protect valued narratives, and contribute to a more informed and connected society.”

DeAngelo and Oretha Duzanson Continue Late Father and Husband’s Vision with WIB Support

“What is also admirable is that the widow, Oretha, has remained faithful to her late husband’s wishes to have his book published, and the couple’s son, DeAngelo, has been a strong support for his mom,” said Sample.

During the presentation, in conversation with WIB officers and the HNP representative, DeAngelo said he was “proud” of the book project so far and thanked the bank for its generous contribution, as bringing the project to fruition was “one of the last wishes” his father had “stressed before he passed — that this book has to happen.”

HNP representative Nzinga Lake said that the book project is in its editing and early design stage, with research assistance and fundraising still ongoing. She said on Sunday that HNP’s focus on delivering quality editing and design was emphasized at the presentation rather than a publication date, because “books are legacies that last for generations.”

WIB officers Rolando Tobias and Emilia Thomas-Connor told DeAngelo that they, respectively, knew his father and had worked with him. The WIB news release noted that the contribution to the book project was also a way of paying “tribute to the late Louis L. Duzanson, a respected civil servant whose decades of service strengthened public administration and shaped institutional development in St. Maarten.”

Duzanson’s first book, An Introduction to Government: Island Territory St. Maarten, was published by HNP in 2000 and reprinted in 2003, said Sample.

“In the late 1990s, Duzanson headed the territory’s General Affairs Department and was well known for leading commissions and advising successive governments in Great Bay.

“Between 1975 and 1991, he headed the Legal Affairs and Archives Departments and served as island secretary and acting island secretary. He was widely regarded as a St. Martin (South) election and government administration expert and was often sought out by media, scholars, government leaders, and political parties of all stripes,” according to HNP.

The Windward Islands Bank is not new to contributing to publications in St. Martin over its 65-year history, said Sample, whose HNP is also celebrating its 45th anniversary in 2025.

WIB is itself to be commemorated, said Sample, as reported last week for its “long-standing commitment” to educational and cultural projects, which it has said “represents more than sponsorship. It is an investment” in the St. Martin community that—according to Country Head Tyrol-Carolus at the presentation—has also given so much to the Windward Islands Bank.