GREAT BAY--Minister of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure (VROMI) Patrice Gumbs has announced a new public-private partnership with Cupecoy Development N.V. for major repairs to the Rolandus Canal in Sucker Garden, an intervention valued at just over US $750,000, or approximately 1.36 million guilders.
Gumbs said the project represents the Ministry's third public-private partnership and will address sections of the canal and surrounding infrastructure that have deteriorated over the years.
The Rolandus Canal is a major drainage system running from Defiance to Great Bay along the eastern side of St. Maarten and forms an important part of the country's stormwater management infrastructure. According to the Minister, erosion of land surrounding the canal has created problems that now require intervention, particularly in the Sucker Garden area.
The planned works will include repairs to the collapsed section of King of the Seas Road, reinforcement of areas surrounding the seven bridges that cross the canal, and the installation and repair of railings along affected sections.
The overall intervention is valued at slightly more than US $750,000, equivalent to approximately 1.36 million guilders, with Cupecoy Development N.V. supporting the project through the donation.
Gumbs thanked the company for its willingness to contribute to improvements to public infrastructure and said the partnership reflects the approach to development he outlined when taking office.
The Minister said sustainable development should be inclusive and should encourage developers to look beyond the boundaries of individual projects and contribute to improvements that benefit the wider St. Maarten community.
Gumbs said he approached Cupecoy Development N.V. earlier this year regarding the condition of the Rolandus Canal. He explained that the deterioration presented both a challenge to the proper functioning of the drainage system and a safety risk to residents in the Sucker Garden area.
He said he was pleased that the discussions have now developed into a project that will deliver a direct and tangible benefit to residents.
The Minister also thanked Sucker Garden residents for their patience while the Ministry worked toward a solution. He acknowledged that residents have contacted the Ministry for months through WhatsApp messages, calls and even legal correspondence concerning the condition of the area.
Gumbs said the Ministry remains committed to addressing infrastructure problems, but limited financial resources can affect how quickly Government is able to respond to long-standing issues. He said public-private partnerships have therefore become an important mechanism for advancing projects that Government may otherwise struggle to finance within available resources.
The Rolandus Canal project is scheduled to begin on Monday, October 12, and the works will be carried out by a local contractor.
VROMI will publish the work schedules and alternative traffic routes in the coming days. The Ministry will also keep the public, particularly residents of the affected area, informed should there be changes to the planned schedule.
The project adds to VROMI's use of partnerships with the private sector to address infrastructure needs while encouraging developers and businesses to contribute to improvements beyond their own development sites.
