MP York requests committee meetings on flooding, drainage and infrastructure

GREAT BAY--Member of Parliament Darryl York has formally requested two urgent Committee meetings with the Minister of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure (VROMI), calling for structured updates on St. Maarten’s growing flood vulnerabilities, persistent drainage failures, and the continued deterioration of the island’s infrastructure.

MP York stressed that residents are facing increasing risks while Parliament often operates with partial or outdated information, and that this gap must be closed if the country is to move from reaction to prevention.

The first Committee request focuses specifically on national flood management and drainage readiness. MP York is seeking:

• An update on the Ministry’s response to recent heavy rainfall and flood events,

• The current condition and capacity of the drainage network,

• Identification of high risk and frequently affected areas,

• An overview of tools, data and assessments used to track water flow and flood behavior,

• Clarification on infrastructure works that have been delayed, reprioritized, or lack clear timelines.

The second Committee request addresses the broader road network and infrastructure planning. In this request, MP York calls for:

• Updates on short and long term plans for the road network and related infrastructure,

• The Ministry’s current priority list and criteria for selecting projects,

• Insight into technical assessments and monitoring practices,

• Specific information on key areas repeatedly highlighted by the community and in recent reports,

• An explanation of how the Ministry intends to tackle ongoing deterioration and recurring hazards.

Together, the two requests are intended to give Parliament a comprehensive picture of where Sint Maarten stands on critical infrastructure, particularly in light of recurring floods, unsafe road conditions, and stalled or slow moving works. MP York reiterated that Parliament’s role is not only to review the past year, but to actively guide and scrutinize the plans for the year ahead.

“There is value in reflecting on the past year, but my focus is firmly on the year ahead,” MP York stated. “Floods do not wait, potholes do not wait, and the people of St. Maarten should not be left waiting either. Parliament needs full and timely information so we can help drive solution based discussions and concrete follow up.”

MP York also noted that his earlier request for a Committee meeting on housing and social living conditions, submitted in April, remains pending. For him, this outstanding request is a reminder that not all urgent issues move at the same pace. He stressed that, in the face of mounting infrastructure concerns and social pressures, delays in convening key meetings raise legitimate questions about how Government orders its priorities.

MP York concluded that he remains committed to constructive oversight and cooperation, but that meaningful progress requires regular, transparent dialogue between Parliament and the responsible ministries, backed by clear plans, timelines, and measurable outcomes.

‍