GREAT BAY--Nation Opportunity Wealth (NOW) Member of Parliament Lyndon Lewis is calling on members of the governing coalition to place the interests of St. Maarten above political loyalty, warning that continued concerns surrounding the Ministry of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure (VROMI) require decisive leadership and accountability. Lewis said coalition members must be prepared to confront shortcomings within the ministry, including considering a motion of no confidence against Minister Patrice Gumbs if serious failures remain unresolved.
Lewis, who also serves as Chairman of Parliament's Justice Committee, made the call amid growing public scrutiny of the government's 2026-2029 garbage collection tender. Several dissatisfied bidders have raised questions about changes to the procurement process, including the decision to allow individual companies to receive two collection parcels instead of one, the cancellation and subsequent retendering of the contracts, and the evaluation of bidders' equipment, staffing, experience and financial capacity.
Government has indicated that the tender scoring results remain subject to verification and do not constitute final contract awards. Lewis acknowledged that the concerns raised by bidders require proper examination and do not, on their own, establish wrongdoing. However, he maintained that the issues are serious enough to warrant a comprehensive explanation from the responsible minister.
"The situation demands clear answers and responsible leadership. Garbage collection is an essential public service, and residents deserve confidence that the procurement process will deliver reliable service, fair treatment of bidders and responsible use of public funds," Lewis stated.
The MP is calling on Minister Gumbs to provide a clear and documented account of the changes made between the original and revised tenders, including the reasons behind those decisions and the safeguards established to ensure that successful contractors possess the necessary resources and capacity to meet their obligations. He believes such transparency is essential to restoring public confidence in the procurement process and ensuring that garbage collection services are not compromised.
Lewis emphasized that his concerns extend beyond the garbage collection tender. In his assessment, unresolved operational challenges within VROMI, coupled with questions surrounding the minister's management of critical responsibilities, threaten to deepen existing problems and undermine confidence in government's ability to deliver essential services to residents.
He urged coalition members to examine the minister's performance objectively rather than allowing political relationships or coalition agreements to determine their response. According to Lewis, Parliament's responsibility to hold government accountable applies equally to opposition and coalition members, particularly when essential public services and the responsible management of public funds are at stake.
Lewis said that where shortcomings can be corrected, residents deserve a credible improvement plan supported by measurable objectives, realistic deadlines and demonstrable results. However, he believes that if Minister Gumbs recognizes that he can no longer effectively discharge the responsibilities of his office, coalition partners should engage him respectfully and encourage him to resign in the country's best interest.
He went further, stating that if serious failures persist and confidence in the minister's leadership can no longer be sustained, coalition members must be willing to initiate or support a motion of no confidence. Lewis stressed that political affiliation should never prevent Parliament from exercising its constitutional oversight responsibilities or taking difficult decisions when the public interest demands them.
"Accountability must be guided by facts, fairness and the needs of the people. Neither dissatisfaction with a tender outcome nor political disagreement alone should determine a Minister’s future. The decisive question is whether the Minister can provide credible answers, demonstrate effective leadership, fairness and deliver the services entrusted to his ministry," Lewis stated.
The NOW parliamentarian maintained that the issue ultimately comes down to the willingness of elected representatives to prioritize effective governance over political considerations. He argued that coalition stability should not become an excuse for overlooking persistent shortcomings or delaying necessary corrective action.
"St. Maarten needs a government willing to confront problems and take responsibility and accountability for results. Residents should not have to bear the consequences of political reluctance to address failures in leadership," Lewis continued.
Drawing on his understanding of business principles, Lewis said that accountability, performance and the ability to deliver results must remain central considerations in evaluating leadership. He emphasized that the country's interests should always take precedence over the interests of an individual coalition partner.
Lewis concluded by calling on the governing coalition to demonstrate through its actions that its first responsibility is to the people of St. Maarten, stressing that the time has come for coalition members to show that commitment through responsible decision-making, meaningful oversight and a willingness to address leadership challenges when necessary.
