Mr. Chairman, I would like to use this opportunity to highlight several, not all, of the body of work done under my tenure – one year and eleven months give and take a day, of Commissioner.
Economic Affairs
Several key policies regulating several areas were completed. Most notably, we now have:
1. A Vending Policy Regulating the operation of general and beach vending on Sint Maarten
2. Business License Policy Mandate to merge the issuance of several licenses and speed up the process by mandating the Sector E/T to sign on behalf of the Executive Council.
3. A Telecom Policy to regulate telecommunications on the island.
4. A sign-board policy Regulating the procedures involved in the licensing and collection of fees.
5. Revised opening hour’s policy which outlines the Liberalization of the opening hours of business..
Additionally we have several policies pending and almost ready. These include: the Residential Economic Policy which is not intended to be restrictive but rather to facilitate the establishment of non-residential activities in residential areas in circumstances where:
a. The activity is compatible in terms of its potential effects on the residential community.
b. To minimize noise, smell and sight pollution as this may adversely affect the amenity enjoyed by residential communities.
c. Maintain an appropriate level of residential amenity.
– We are also working on the Agriculture Policy, Tax Holiday Policy, Public Transportation Policy, and an Extended Price Control List.
– The Customer Service & Productivity Training for the department of economic licenses.
– There are also ongoing SEI projects. To name but a few: the International Financial Services Project, the supply of affordable housing, Purchasing a comprehensive macro-economic model, and developing and establishing a CBS & CPB on Sint Maarten, the automation of the entire license process at The Economic Affairs Department. Not to forget the 4 SBDF SEI projects signed on May 13th for Aquaponics, Tax Filing, Youth entrepreneurship and entrepreneurship in general.
– Pending is the approval of the amendment of the Business License Ordinance by the Island Council which is currently being reviewed.
– We have also established a closer working relationship between the Economic Affairs Department and the Labour Office to intercept applications for director’s licenses for which the objective of the applicant was to obtain residency.
– By means of the economic summit among others addressed and continue to mitigate the affects of the world wide economic downturn where possible.
– Hiring of additional economic controllers.
– Impressive results from the increase of more visible control of Prices of price -controlled items and overall inspections and basic Necessities that are controlled by Government.
– In addition to the regular controls, combined control efforts of the Economic Affairs Department and The Public Health Department have been ongoing and have rendered alarming results, for which those responsible will have to answer for their actions to the judicial authorities.
– Monthly Publication of Price Comparison List in print media and on the Economic Affairs website.
– The Extra-Ordinary Police officers course. Bestowing the oath by the Lt. Governor on those selected is still pending. And Mr. Chairman while a may no longer be a commissioner when this takes place I look forward to being able to witness this significant completion to a long ongoing process of having controllers with the necessary authority to enforce the laws of the land.
– Launched the website of Economic Affairs last year and upgraded this year. The website: www.stmaarteneconomy.com, which delivers needed information and links to the relevant departments and the application forms for certain licenses.
– Launching of the first Regional SME Platform.
– Completing automation of the business licenses at the Department of Business Licenses and Permits since March 2008.
– Weights, scales and measuring tank were (I) ordered to do proper controls at gasoline stations, pharmacies, supermarkets etc. and two additional vehicles were purchased for the Economic Control Department.
– Ensured the Involvement of stakeholders such as the COCI, SHTA, SBDF (Small Business Foundation), wholesalers etc. in new policies and legislation.
– Approval of the Carnival License guidelines
Telecommunication
2007-2008
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TOPICS |
ACTIONS |
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Meeting with stakeholders in the telecom sector |
Various meeting were held with the board and management of SMHTC NV to discuss the direction of telecom services as well as with other national and international stakeholders regarding the vision of St. Maarten for telecom services. |
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New board members |
New board members were appointed to the board of SMHTC NV. |
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North American Numbering Plan |
The application for the North American Numbering Plan was submitted. |
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Development of TOR telecommunication services |
Terms of reference was developed for the bidding-process in selecting a capable consultancy bureau in dealing with the development of a comprehensive telecommunication policy plan for Country St. Maarten. |
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Selection of a consultancy bureau. |
A capable consultant was selected to execute the development of the comprehensive telecommunication policy plan. |
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Development of TOR change manager |
Terms of reference were developed for the bidding-process in selecting a capable consultancy bureau in executing the reorganization and rightsizing of the telem group of companies. |
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Selection of a capable change manager and back-up manager |
A capable change manager was selected and is momentarily busy with the reorganization of the telem group of companies. |
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Development of a comprehensive telecommunication policy plan |
A comprehensive telecommunication policy plan was developed and approved by EXCO. |
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Contacts with international telecommunication agencies. |
Contacts has been made with various international telecommunication agencies (USA, Holland, Switzerland), who are interested in supporting the further development of telecommunication services of Country St. Maarten. |
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Installation of a telecom committee |
Two technical experts were appointed to the Federal to the Committed dealing with the decentralization of the telecom services to the islands as well as to deal with other relevant issues such as the Post Spaar Bank. |
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Installation of a postal committee |
Technical experts were appointed to deal with the decentralization of the postal services and other related issues. |
Public Health
PUBLIC HEALTH 2007-2009.
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TOPICS |
STATUS OF AFFAIRS |
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General Health Insurance Trajectory |
A research was conducted of the present health insurances & bottlenecks. The findings of this research were presented in a report to the Executive Council in 2007. This report was also discussed with stakeholders. The main conclusion of this report was to develop a new insurance system for St. Maarten, with the objective of improving the accessibility to optimal healthcare on St. Maarten for everyone. Based on this research, 2 project leaders were appointed by the Executive Council to develop a project plan with regards to the trajectory of implementing a national health insurance system for country St. Maarten and the building of the scenario model was approved. This model is expected to be finalized in the month of June 2009. |
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Contract agreement with the Municipality of Amsterdam |
A contract agreement was signed in 2007 with the Public Health Department of Amsterdam in the areas of disaster, diabetes & obesity, HIV/AIDS & SOA, youth healthcare; prostitution-policy; vaccination; quality & protocols; medical & environmental issues; laboratory; pest-control & eradication. |
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Mental Health |
A cooperation between the Academic Psychiatric Hospital AMC de Meren of Amsterdam and the Mental Health Foundation was arranged whereby AMC de Meren will support the Mental Health Foundation in the development of a policy plan as well as to train the workers of the Mental Health Foundation in various areas. The foundation moved to a larger location to accommodate clients and personnel. A psychiatrist was contracted to deal with the psychiatric care on the island. Now less persons are sent to the Capriles Clinic for treatment. Momentarily the Mental Health Foundation is in discussion with the Turning Point Foundation to establish a cooperation agreement in which expertise and personnel would be pooled and used for both foundations |
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TOPICS |
STATUS OF AFFAIRS |
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Transfer of Laboratory Services |
The transfer of the laboratory services from ADC NV to the St. Maarten Laboratory Services NV was finalized on September 1, 2008. A qualified director (biochemist) was appointed as well as a supervisory board of directors. New qualified personnel has been attracted to the company and 2 new locations (Betty’s Estate and Dutch Quarter) will be opened soon within the community to facilitate clients. |
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Training of operational leaders Ambulance Services |
A 2 week training-period was arranged at the Public Health of Amsterdam for 2 personnel of the ambulance department in 2008. The ambulance services will be soon housed together with the fire department in a newly constructed building at Cay Hill |
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Workshop and technical support for the Diabetes & Obesity projects |
The Public Health Department of Amsterdam will be supporting Sector healthcare affairs with both projects to be executed in 2009. |
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Youth Dental Plan |
The dental vehicle has arrived on St. Maarten. Two dentists will be participating in this project to execute the dental care plan for all school-going children. This project will commence in the month of August 2009. |
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School Nutrition & Physical Education Project |
The objective of this project is two-fold: 1. Students will possess the knowledge and skills necessary to make nutritious and enjoyable food choices; 2. Students will make a conscious effort to ensure that physical activity remains a part of their lifestyle. The Public Health Department of Amsterdam has supported the sector healthcare affairs with knowledge and expertise as well as training. |
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Drugs Survey |
A drugs survey was conducted within the prison in 2008 and the survey-results were presented to the Executive Council. The objective of this survey is to develop a comprehensive drugs policy plan for the island.
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National Surveillance System |
A national surveillance system was developed and implemented including the Communicable Disease Surveillance Manual of St. Maarten in 2007. The objective of this system is to provide information for action. An effective surveillance system is action oriented where the public health professionals must respond to what they see in a timely and appropriate manner. This manual was distributed to all stakeholders. |
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Vaccination coverage survey |
A vaccination coverage survey was conducted in 2008. A report was written of the results and presented to the Executive Council and the Pan American Health Organization. The objective of this survey was to assess the total vaccination-coverage on the island (Dutch-side) |
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Expansion & upgrading plans of SMMC |
Various meetings were held regarding the expansion & upgrading plans of SMMC. |
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New Building for Emergency Services |
A new building for the emergency services, the ambulance services and the fire department, was constructed and completed in 2008. Both services will occupy this building. |
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Presentation Organization- & Formation plan Ministry of Public Health & Social Development |
The organization- & formation plan of the to be established Ministry of Public health & Social Development for Country St. Maarten was presented and approved by the executive council. |
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Name change of sector Healthcare Affairs |
In 2009 the name of the sector healthcare affairs was changed to the sector of Public Health, Social Development and Labor in anticipation of the to be established Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labor for country St. Maarten |
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New Licensing Regulations for Healthcare Facilities |
The new licensing regulations for health care facilities was implemented in 2008. The sector Public health, social development and labor is responsible for advising the Executive Council with respect to the applications of healthcare facilities in the area of the quality of these facilities as well as the influx of new initiatives. In 2008 various information sessions were held for stakeholders on this issue in cooperation with the Inspectorate of Public Health. |
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TOPICS |
STATUS OF AFFAIRS |
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Food Safety Workshops |
The Food Safety Workshops are conducted on a continuous basis due to the constant influx of new establishments. |
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St. Maarten Strategic HIV/AIDS program |
This program has continued to receive specific attention from government and the emphasis now being placed on behavioral change programs targeting various groups in the community. |
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Red Ribbon Campaign ‘Stronger Together’ |
This program has been a huge success whereby various companies have continuously supported this awareness campaign. |
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Incinerator |
A new building was constructed for the new incinerator in 2008 |
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CAVIS-system Ambulance Services |
A new registration system for the ambulance services has been installed and implemented. This system is compatible with the various healthcare systems on the island. |
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Caribbean Family Planning Association Conference |
The Caribbean Family Planning Association selected St. Maarten to hold their on the island. Representatives of various Caribbean and international agencies visited the island to attend this conference in the month of July 2008. |
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Roaming Livestock and small stray animals project |
Various meetings were held with stakeholders. Draft legislations and a comprehensive policy plan was developed. |
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The First National Conference on Multidisciplinary Healthcare Cooperation (case management) |
In 2009 the first national conference on case management was held on St. Maarten. The objective of this conference was to promote awareness of stakeholders within the healthcare sector on the importance of a multidisciplinary cooperation, transmural- & chain-care; information- and experience exchange of government & non-governmental agencies in the region in the area of multidisciplinary cooperation, transmural- & chain-care; and promotion of expertise. |
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Elderly Research Project |
The objective of this project is to create a sound evidence basis upon which policy can be developed & evaluated with regards to the elderly population on St. Maarten. This project is a collaboration between the sector healthcare affairs and the department of social welfare & labor.
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TOPICS |
STATUS OF AFFAIRS |
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M.O.U. between the Sector Healthcare Affairs (on behalf of the Island Government) and the Society for family Health/ Population Services International and St. Maarten Aids Foundation |
The objective of this M.O.U. is to reduce the number of new cases of STIs & HIV in the Eastern Caribbean and to increase safer sexual practices among immigrants, specifically Spanish-speaking sex workers in Antigua/Barbuda, Dominica & St. Maarten and the youth in especially difficult circumstances in St. Vincent/the Grenadines, Grenada and Dominica. |
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Research Salary-structure Nurses |
A research was conducted by SOAB regarding the salary-structure for nurses in 2008. |
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Insurance Ambulance Personnel |
A personal Accident Insurance, a Disability coverage and coverage in case of death were arranged for the operational staff of the ambulance department. |
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Clinical Program SMMC |
Based on the protocol for administering of medication on the ambulance, that was developed; an Affiliation Agreement was signed between SMMC and the ambulance services department in 2008. The objective of this agreement is to provide the certified ambulance nurses and assistants, a clinical learning experience through the application of their knowledge & skills in the Emergency Room, Intensive Care Unit and if possible in other areas of the hospital. |
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Purchasing of 2 new ambulances |
The executive council has approved the purchase of 2 new ambulances to replace the present ambulance vehicles. |
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Plan of Action Dengue Fever |
A plan of action was developed whereby the focus is on the prevention of breeding sites for the Aedes Aegypti mosquitoes and to keep the public informed & involved in the latest developments regarding dengue fever. In 2008 there was an outbreak of dengue fever on St. Maarten which was professionally dealt with by the sector of Public Health, Social Development and Labor in close cooperation with healthcare professionals and the St. Maarten Laboratory Services NV |
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Financial Controller |
A financial controller was appointed for 6 months at Sector Public Health. The objective was to strengthen the various efforts of the sector as it prepares for the constitutional change to Country St. Maarten. |
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TOPICS |
STATUS OF AFFAIRS |
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Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) Plan of Action 2009 |
An EPI plan of action was developed. The highlights of this plan are: the purchasing of vaccines via the PAHO revolving fund; the introduction of the EPI-manual; capacity building in data management & surveillance; strengthening the collaboration with the education-sector; the revision of the immunization-schedule; and the research on the vaccination-coverage. |
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M.O.U between the island government and the American University of the Caribbean |
A cooperation agreement in the area of research and policy planning & development. |
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H1N1 flu – Action Plan developed |
An action plan was developed to be able to deal with a possible outbreak on St. Maarten if this should occur. Meetings were also held with the Frenchside on this matter |
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Inspectorate of Public Health |
A technical expert was appointed in 2009 (April) to outline and develop an inspectorate of public health for St. Maarten |
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Healthcare professionals capacity planning 2009 |
A research was conducted on the needed capacity for healthcare professionals for St. Maarten in 2008. The report was presented to the Executive Council in 2009. |
Personnel & Organization
– Since the referendum in which the people of St. Maarten expressed their preference for constitutional change, the government of SXM has been working on the challenging duty to prepare civil servants and inform the general public on the various issues relevant to the upcoming country status. Work is currently being done on multiple levels to raise awareness of why change is needed, to increase knowledge on how to go about the changes, to implement new changes and enable civil servants to cope, and finally to seek ways in which the efforts can be sustained. The latter being of such importance that without the support by all involved our efforts for change will not be successful and certainly not sustainable.
Mandated by the Executive Council of St. Maarten to to recruit professionals in order to fill critical vacancies within the new government organizational structure, I lead a delegation to participate in the PASSAAT – a job fair for Antilleans and Arubeans, organized by Antilleans and Arubeans living in Holland. We saw great hope and determination from our academics to return home and help St. Maarten on its course to a new constitutional process and beyond. The results of this effort are ongoing.
OBF-trajectory: OBF stands for: Organisatieontwikkeling (Organization Development), Beloning (Compensation), Functioneringsverbetering (performance improvement).
· Critical vacancies within all departments/sectors were inventoried.
· More qualified personnel were recruited for various departments.
· Various trainings were organized for civil servants on different topics and areas (finances, customer service, performance management, integrity workshops etc).
· We’ve had civil servants graduate with Bachelor degrees in Public Administration and their work compiled in a book.
· Terms of reference were developed for the implementation of a personnel information system.
· The personnel of P&O were given various training in human resource management, customer service, policy planning amongst others.
· A new salary-scheme was implemented and a placement procedures for civil servants was implemented.
There are many ongoing projects, many very much related to the transition from the Island Government structure to the Country St. Maarten structure.
Sports
– Supported our athletes and sports organizations with a total contribution of almost Naf 60,000 in subsidies.
– Process to upgrade the RISC has started.
– Approval of changes to the articles of incorporation of the "Foundation for Human Development, Recreation and Sport", the entity that manages the Raoul Illidge Sports Complex (RISC). The changes to the articles will allow government to have more influence in matters pertaining to the complex which includes making finances available for its upgrading.
– Appointed a liaison officer for cricket.
– Developed the Comprehensive Sports Policy. This sports policy, the first of its kind on our island, is a measure of the collective determination of government and the sporting community to provide greater patronage to sports.
– Setting up of the Sports Development Foundation for which funding from CUS is being secured as we speak, as well as for the establishment of a Sportotheek/Sport Authority which will have sports material available on loan. The funds were received this afternoon by the Foundation Upkeep Sports Facilities
– Secured sports materials for public schools from the Island Government budget as well as from the so-called Ansary funds.
– And, without a doubt, sports organizations could be assured of my presence and support at most events.
Youth & Culture
Although I’ve only been responsible for these portfolios for a few months, I am extremely pleased with the amount of work that was done by the departments, in close cooperation with my office, in the short period of time.
– Worked along and supported the hard working volunteers of the Carnival Foundation in Carnival 2009 and initiated discussions for strengthening the foundation with additional government support, financial or otherwise.
– The draft of the Terms of Reference for the establishing of the policy for Residential and Foster Care is ready and has been submitted for financing of a Policy Writer.
– Subsidy for Foster & Residential care has once more been secured on the 2009 budget.
– Consultations with the Directorate of Youth on Youth Care Legislation continues.
– Trainers will be trained within short for the Community That Cares (CTC) Campaign through the program Positive Action which will counteract Youth Violence in the community. This program will impact all segments of the society.
– The Community Schools project is in its final pilot phase and an advice is forthcoming for the new school term 2009/2010 which will outline the way forward for this program in the future that is benefiting approximately 500 children.
– Secured the return of historical and archeological artifacts from Curacao to St. Maarten.
– A national tree ordinance was established by the Executive Council .
That was just some of the work Mr. Chairman. All this would not have been possible if many people did not do their part.