UP celebrates speedy release party leader

PHILIPSBURG -- United

People’s UP Party Leader and Member of Parliament, the Honourable Rolando Brison, walked out of the Philipsburg police station a free man within a day of being detained for questioning.

His speedy release sparked a celebration within the UP Party. MP Brison met with family members and supporters and was in good spirits when he thanked them for their support and prayers, a press release from the UP Party Board said.

SIMPSON BAY -- Four (4) parliamentarians graciously accepted an invitation to tour the construction site of the Airport Terminal Reconstruction Project at the Princess Juliana International Airport (PJIA) on Friday, February 17, 2023.

The tour served as an integral component of the Public Outreach Campaign by the PJIA Corporate Communication and Project Management Unit (PMU), to offer the necessary stakeholder’s engagement by way of information disclosure.

Readily available to take the invited tour were President of Parliament, MP Cookie Bijlani, MP Angelique Roumou, MP George Pantophlet, MP Ludmilla Duncan, and support staff.

The revised timeline, the phased-planned approach, and the cost overview of the construction project were among the many factors presented by the Airport Chief, Mr. Brian Mingo, and the Project Director of the Project Management Unit,

Mr. Mirto Breell. Some of the final updates made to the parliamentarians was following the mold remediation process on May 6, 2021, and during the Inter-parliamentary Consultation for the Kingdom (IPKO) in May 2022.

About the Public Outreach Campaign

The Public Outreach Campaign (POC) updates both internal and external stakeholders like the St. Maarten Civil Aviation Authority (SMCAA), Meteorological team, Simpson Bay Recreational Community Association, St. Maarten Hospitality and Trade Association (SHTA), Beacon Hill Community Council, the Tourism Stakeholders Committee, Air Service Development (ASDC), affiliated unions, and the airport community.

About Princess Juliana International Airport

Princess Juliana International Airport is one of the busiest airport in the Northeast Caribbean. It is the most important airport hub for Saba, St Eustatius, St Barths, Anguilla, Domi- nica, Nevis, and Tortola. The airport is one of the largest employers on the island. It has 277 workers and 1700 workers within the entire airport community. The reconstruction works of the airport have started in September 2021. The new Departure Hall will be officially opened in 2023. The terminal building will be opened in 2024. Contractor Ballast Nedam International Projects (BNIP) is working with local people and companies which is essential for socio-economic recovery of Sint Maarten.

Historic Timeline

Princess Juliana Airport was officially opened by Princess Juliana in 1944. In 2006, her Majesty Queen Beatrix inaugurated the new terminal building. In 2017, the airport was hit by Hurricane Irma (Cat 5) In January 2020, Princess Juliana International Airport signed the World Bank/EIB loan to reconstruct the terminal. In July 2021, Ballast Nedam International Project signed the contract to start the reconstruction.

“All things considered, the discussions with the authorities went well; my focus was on the truth and clarifying any misunderstandings and misconceptions. Thank you all for the prayers, love and support.”

In the press release issued Sunday evening, the UP Party Board stated that the Leader would address the Country during the budget debate this coming Tuesday. He is also focused on delving into the Country’s most urgent matter, which is the national budget to the Country that will make way for many essential investments for the Country and provisions to continue to provide for the Country. “Our sincere gratitude and thanks go out to the many people at home and abroad who called and sent messages in solidarity with MP Brison, his family and the UP Party. Your prayers and determination to continue standing UP with the United People’s Party and our Leader during these challenging times will not be forgotten and is greatly appreciated.”

Former police officer of KPSM lost his life in curacao

PHILIPSBURG/WIL -

LEMSTAD -- The Police Force of St. Maarten KPSM received the very sad news today, March 19, 2023, that a former police officer of St. Maarten has lost his life after a shooting incident in Curacao.

According to the information from the Police Force of Curacao KPC, the former colleague’s car was blocked on one of the roads and he was shot at and subsequently lost his life.

The young officer tendered his resignation from KPSM a few months ago and moved back to Curacao. KPSM is monitoring the ongoing investigation in Curacao.

The management team of KPSM expressed condolences to the former police officer’s family, friends and fellow colleagues of KPSM on his passing.