York Tables Motion of Disapproval against VROMI Minister Patrice Gumbs

GREAT BAY--Member of Parliament Darryl York has tabled a motion of disapproval against Minister of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure, VROMI, Patrice Gumbs, citing what he describes as continued lack of measurable progress, poor execution, insufficient responsiveness and ongoing deterioration in several areas falling under the ministry.

The motion, presented in Parliament on August 26, 2026, follows an earlier motion of no confidence against Gumbs that was tabled on April 1 and rejected on May 26 by a narrow vote of seven against and six in favour. York’s motion states that the outcome effectively gave the minister additional time and an opportunity to demonstrate measurable improvement.

York also recalled that several MPs who did not support the earlier no-confidence motion nevertheless publicly called for improvement. According to the motion, some indicated that their position could change if circumstances remained the same, while Parliament made clear that it expected to “see change now.”

Several months later, York argues that many of the concerns raised at the time remain unresolved and continue to negatively affect residents, businesses and the overall functioning of the country.

Among the most prominent issues is the condition and cleanliness of St. Maarten. The motion describes the country as experiencing one of its worst periods of deterioration in cleanliness in years, pointing to garbage, litter, illegal dumping, overgrown areas and abandoned vehicles. York argues that these conditions are unacceptable and negatively affect St. Maarten’s image as a tourism destination.

The motion further states that despite repeated complaints from residents, businesses and Parliament, Minister Gumbs has failed to demonstrate that he fully grasps the urgency and realities of the matters falling under VROMI and their daily impact on the people of St. Maarten.

York also points to the backlog in building permits. Figures presented during the 2026 budget debate showed that 662 of 1,111 building permit applications remained pending, including 150 of the 155 applications submitted thus far in 2026.

The motion stresses that those figures represent more than administrative delays. According to York, they translate into homes that cannot be built, businesses unable to expand, developments unable to move forward and investments and employment opportunities being unnecessarily delayed.

Roads and public infrastructure are another central area of criticism. The motion states that no road tender has been published or executed under the current administration while the country’s road infrastructure continues to deteriorate.

York goes further by characterizing the continued failure to adequately address the condition of St. Maarten’s roads, despite what he describes as an obvious and urgent need for action, as serious negligence in the management of the country’s public infrastructure.

The motion also addresses waste management, noting that the initial 2026-2029 waste collection tender failed and had to be restarted while concerns surrounding garbage, littering and the deteriorating cleanliness of the country continue.

York further cites unresolved road and infrastructure matters, abandoned vehicles and environmental enforcement as continuing areas of serious public concern. He argues that delays, backlogs and insufficient responsiveness within VROMI continue to negatively affect residents and businesses and contribute to frustration with public service delivery.

The motion also links VROMI’s performance directly to the economy. York argues that the continued lack of execution within the ministry is negatively affecting economic activity because businesses, investors, homeowners and developers depend on timely permits, functioning infrastructure and an effective ministry to move projects and investments forward.

In addition to concerns about public-facing services, the motion raises serious allegations regarding the internal working environment at VROMI. It references allegations of bullying, intimidation and the treatment of staff, including claims specifically involving the treatment of female employees. These allegations have not been established as fact.

York’s motion also cites concerns about what it describes as an unhealthy working environment and the possible effects on staff morale, productivity and progress within the ministry. It argues that allegations of this nature, particularly when they concern leadership and the working environment of a government ministry, warrant serious attention and cannot simply be dismissed when evaluating the minister’s overall management.

The motion maintains that a ministry responsible for St. Maarten’s physical development, infrastructure, environment and cleanliness cannot function effectively when the public continues to experience backlogs and deterioration while concerns are also being raised about the internal working environment.

York argues that Parliament already gave Minister Gumbs additional time to correct course and that this additional time cannot become what the motion describes as “an indefinite excuse for continued delay, poor execution and lack of measurable progress.”

According to the motion, despite being afforded the additional opportunity, the minister has failed to demonstrate the measurable improvement, urgency, leadership and execution necessary to address Parliament’s concerns and restore confidence in the functioning of VROMI.

The motion ultimately resolves that Parliament formally expresses its disapproval of the performance and management of Minister Patrice Gumbs in relation to the continued lack of measurable progress, execution and responsiveness on the matters outlined.

Copies of the motion are to be sent to the Parliament of St. Maarten, the Government of St. Maarten and the Governor of St. Maarten.

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