Gumbs: Cupecoy Development will pay entire $750,000 cost of Rolandus Canal repairs

GREAT BAY--Minister of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure (VROMI), Patrice Gumbs, has confirmed that Cupecoy Development N.V. will finance the entire cost of the Rolandus Canal rehabilitation project in Sucker Garden, valued at just over US $750,000, or approximately 1.36 million guilders, with no government funding going toward the project.

Speaking during the Council of Ministers briefing on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, Gumbs clarified the financial arrangements behind several public-private partnerships (PPPs), explaining that developers are covering the full costs of certain infrastructure projects, while government has contributed funding to the Billy Folly Road rehabilitation.

The clarification follows the October 7 announcement of the partnership between VROMI and Cupecoy Development N.V., which Gumbs described at the time as the third public-private partnership initiated under his leadership.

As previously reported by The People's Tribune, the Rolandus Canal project involves repairs to a major drainage system running from Defiance to Great Bay along the eastern side of St. Maarten. The canal forms an important part of the country's stormwater management infrastructure, but erosion and deterioration of the surrounding land have created problems affecting its functioning and the safety of nearby residents.

The planned intervention focuses on the Sucker Garden section and includes repairing the collapsed portion of King of the Seas Road, reinforcing areas surrounding the seven bridges crossing the canal, and installing or repairing railings along affected sections.

The project was originally scheduled to commence on October 12, with the work to be undertaken by a local contractor.

At the time of the initial announcement, Gumbs explained that he had approached Cupecoy Development N.V. earlier in the year about the canal's condition and the risks posed to surrounding communities. He also acknowledged that residents had been contacting the Ministry for months through telephone calls, WhatsApp messages and even legal correspondence seeking action to address the deteriorating infrastructure.

During Wednesday's briefing, the Minister provided further clarification on the financial responsibilities associated with the various partnerships.

"Government has put funding into one of these PPPs, the Billy Folly Road," Gumbs stated.

He explained that the rehabilitation of the Simpson Bay Dock and the repairs involving Rolandus Canal and Sugar Garden are being paid for entirely by the respective developers.

The Minister's comments establish that the Rolandus Canal project, although structured as a public-private partnership with government involvement, is being financed by Cupecoy Development N.V. rather than through government expenditure.

Under the approach outlined by Gumbs, developers provide the financing, while government's role involves approving project designs, providing support and exercising oversight where necessary.

Gumbs said the partnerships are intended to help the Ministry address longstanding infrastructure problems at a time when financial resources remain limited.

He acknowledged that government ministries continue to experience financial shortfalls, making cooperation with private-sector entities an important means of advancing projects that might otherwise be difficult to finance.

"For me, I see the value of private-public partnerships, PPPs, in addressing this gap, especially in critical infrastructure," the Minister said.

Beyond the financing arrangements, Gumbs emphasized that developers operating in St. Maarten should be encouraged to contribute to improvements benefiting communities outside their immediate development areas.

He explained that while some investments may provide a direct benefit to developers' own projects, the broader objective is to ensure that private investment also delivers improvements for residents across the country.

The Minister identified Sugar Garden as an example of this approach, noting that communities outside traditional major investment areas such as Simpson Bay and Cupecoy should also benefit from the development taking place on the island.

The Rolandus Canal partnership reflects that approach, with a company associated with development in Cupecoy financing drainage and road infrastructure improvements in Sucker Garden, a community geographically removed from its development activities.

Gumbs described these contributions as a way for companies to give back to the country in which they operate and from which they benefit.

While the Ministry continues exploring opportunities to generate additional revenue, he expressed appreciation for the private sector's participation in addressing infrastructure challenges and improving living conditions.

The Minister's latest explanation clarifies that no government funding is being directed toward the Rolandus Canal repairs under the announced arrangement. However, the briefing did not provide further details about the contractual terms of the partnership or whether any additional commitments or considerations form part of the agreement between government and Cupecoy Development N.V.