GREAT BAY--Member of Parliament Ardwell Irion has issued a pointed warning to Minister of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure (VROMI) Patrice Gumbs, urging him to take decisive action on St. Maarten's garbage collection problems rather than allow the issue to define his time in office.
During Tuesday's parliamentary meeting on waste management, Irion criticized the ministry's handling of garbage collection contracts, the shortage of garbage bins and the continued treatment of certain apartment buildings as commercial properties, arguing that many of these problems could be addressed through practical policy decisions.
"For your last two years, you've been known as the garbage man, and you don't wanna end your political career as garbage," Irion told the minister, who he also dubbed (tongue in cheek) "the coalition's favorite Minister."
The MP's remarks came as Parliament examined ongoing concerns about garbage collection, district cleaning and wastewater management. Irion argued that residents continue to face problems that have been repeatedly raised in Parliament, despite opportunities for government to introduce clearer policies and improve existing arrangements.
Drawing attention to concerns previously raised by MP Veronica Jansen-Webster, Irion questioned the logic of classifying residential apartment buildings with more than three units as commercial properties for garbage collection purposes.
He pointed out that St. Maarten is increasingly moving toward apartment-style housing because of limited available land, yet garbage collection policies have not adequately adjusted to reflect that reality.
Irion argued that the minister's own housing ambitions would require more multi-unit residential developments, making it even more important to establish policies that properly define residential and commercial properties.
He warned that the current garbage collection contracts do not sufficiently address this issue, potentially allowing garbage haulers to refuse collection at certain apartment buildings because those properties are not covered under their contractual obligations.
According to Irion, this could result in the continuation of problems experienced under previous garbage collection arrangements, with residents left uncertain about who is responsible for removing their household waste.
The MP questioned whether government intends to amend the existing tender arrangements or provide additional funding in the 2027 budget to address the problem.
Irion also highlighted the shortage of garbage bins in residential neighborhoods, referring to an apartment building containing 16 units but served by only two bins.
He argued that it is unreasonable to criticize residents for garbage accumulating around collection points when the available bins cannot accommodate the amount of waste generated.
The MP questioned what happened to garbage bins that government had previously indicated were available and whether additional funding has been included in the proposed 2027 budget for their distribution.
Irion said he has been raising the issue of inadequate garbage bins for approximately two years and questioned why the same problems remain unresolved.
Beyond the availability of bins, Irion urged the minister to introduce a clear policy establishing what constitutes a commercial building compared to a residential building for garbage collection purposes.
He suggested that such a policy could be developed under the relevant existing legislation and requested that the minister commit to addressing the matter before the end of the year.
Irion maintained that the issue requires common sense and practical decision-making rather than allowing residents to remain caught between outdated classifications and the realities of modern housing development.
The MP also criticized delays in receiving answers to parliamentary questions, particularly during the budget process.
He argued that Parliament should receive timely responses from ministers so that Members of Parliament can properly evaluate government spending proposals and determine whether sufficient resources have been allocated to address outstanding problems.
Irion questioned whether the minister would provide additional funding for garbage bins in the 2027 budget, warning that without changes, Parliament could find itself discussing the same complaints again next year.
He also raised concerns about the ministry's communication with the public, suggesting that government does not provide residents with enough information about what is being done to resolve recurring problems.
Referring to issues such as potholes and garbage collection, Irion argued that the public needs greater reassurance that complaints are being addressed and that government is taking concrete steps toward solutions.
He also criticized the minister's party, noting that it had previously made garbage management, procurement policies and VROMI-related matters central issues in its political discussions.
Irion questioned whether the administration's approach since assuming responsibility for the ministry has delivered the changes previously advocated.
Although his remarks were critical, Irion also suggested that the minister still has an opportunity to demonstrate progress by addressing the problems and establishing workable policies.
He concluded his contribution with another pointed message about how the minister's remaining time in office could be remembered.
"I'm requesting the minister not to leave the next two years reflect garbage in, garbage out."
The remarks placed attention on the political accountability surrounding waste management, particularly as government prepares the 2027 budget and continues the process of awarding new garbage collection and district cleaning contracts.
Irion's central concern was that St. Maarten should not continue entering new collection arrangements without first addressing the policy gaps, insufficient infrastructure and unresolved complaints that have contributed to the country's recurring garbage problems.
