Fleming Waste Solutions opens landfill after reaching payment agreement with government

GREAT BAY--Operations at the Philipsburg landfill returned to normal before midday on Thursday, after Fleming Waste Solutions and government reached an agreement over outstanding payments dating back to 2024. Company owner and operator Derrick Fleming said he will hold government to its word and expects the agreement to be honored.

“We arrived at an agreement and I will hold them to their word to keep that agreement,” Fleming said. “Moving forward, I urge government to work together with local contractors who are putting in the work that is expected of them, to avoid having this situation repeat itself. Build a fair working relationship with local companies who will do their part.”

The resolution followed a tense start to the morning, when Fleming Waste Solutions blocked operations at the landfill in protest over long outstanding invoices. The company is responsible for moving waste on the site and organizing the landfill’s daily operations.

Fleming said the stoppage was a last resort after repeated delays in payment for services rendered.

“I cannot tolerate this constant non-payment for services,” he said. “My heavy equipment will not be moved until the outstanding is paid. I am responsible for families and it is unacceptable that government keeps putting me and my workers in such a position.”

Fleming was on site with Minister of VROMI Patrice Gumbs and said he made clear the seriousness of the situation. He criticized what he described as a pattern of local contractors being sidelined when it comes to timely payment.

“Government has to stop normalising taking local people for granted and not paying what is due,” he said. “Foreign companies have no issues getting paid, but locals are always taken for granted.”

Looking ahead, Fleming called for a more consistent, respectful partnership between government and local businesses.

“We cannot keep telling young local people to strive and work hard and then treat them this way. It is discouraging. And then you wonder why they end up on scooters robbing people,” he said. “Just work with us and we can do it together. You trust me to carry out the work and now I will trust you to compensate me for that work. Let us work together to move St. Maarten forward.”

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