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Republic Bank pledges a more proactive approach in the future.

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten— The Ministry of Finance was recently the recipient of a courtesy visit from the General Managing Director of Republic Bank Sint Maarten, Sterl Lyons and the Republic Bank (EC) Limited Managing Director Mrs. Michelle Palmer-Keizer.

The Directors sat with Minister of Finance, Ardwell Irion to discuss the recently launched, “Power to Make A Difference” (PMAD), Republic Bank’s approach to corporate social responsibility designed to transform communities and enable sustainable futures. Republic Financial Holdings Limited (RFHL) is signed to the United Nations Principles for Responsible Banking – a single framework for a sustainable banking industry developed through a partnership with banks worldwide and the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEPFI).

In joining UNEPFI, RFHL committed to improving their positive impact and contribution to society by incorporating sustainable practices and strategies across all business areas. The Principles of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) require banks to be transparent and accountable. Banks are required to set impact targets in line with the UN SDGs and report on their progress toward those targets.

Given the recent questions in the media regarding the glitches prompted the bank to elaborate on the recent challenges and growing pains experienced during the previous months. There was also an outline of the new and innovate solutions set to be launched by January 2023; this includes e-commerce solutions.

In response to questions by the public, the Directors provided answers to the length of time taken to open accounts on the island. They also shared the positive and growing state of retail and corporate banking on St. Maarten.

“While we did have a lot of questions for Republic Bank, especially regarding recent issues, the management team is stepping up to improve acknowledge and improve on the situation. It is very important for our financial institutions to be transparent and hold themselves to a higher standard of accountability. I appreciate the updates and look forward to future implementations of the corporate responsibility strategies.” said Minister of Finance Ardwell Irion.

About The Ministry of Finance  

Mission

Efficiently oversee the country’s finances by adopting new methods and technology to improve, standardize, streamline and automate processes. Provide accountable advice to the government in its policy areas and execute it by providing the public with exceptional service. The Ministry is focused on lifelong learning for its staff and the general public to empower persons to reach their full potential.

Vision

To execute balanced macroeconomic fiscal policies and initiatives that aid in the expansion and diversification of Sint Maarten’s economy, provide fiscal sustainability and to be the catalyst for innovation regarding government operations.

Values

Integrity and CARE. The Ministry of Finance runs on the structural values of I.C.A.R.E., and acronym standing for the following:

Integrity: always do the right thing
Collaboration: None of us is as smart as all of us
Accountability: we take ownership and accountability
Respect: We value our colleagues and the people we serve
Excellence: We always give our best

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Related article: Republic Bank (EC) Limited Welcomes the Power To Make A Difference In The East Caribbean

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The Police are now investigating an incident in which an unknown male robbed a Browne’s Avenue man of his Samsung cell phone and his wallet, which containing $200 and several government IDs.

Reports say the victim was walking home when a white Honda Step Wagon drove past him and came to a stop, and then the assailant exited the vehicle and approached him.

Allegedly, the robber pointed a pair of scissors at the man and demanded that he hand over everything in his possession.

In response, the Browne’s Avenue man took the items from his pockets and handed them over to the assailant, who then ran back to his vehicle and drove away.

The alleged robber is said to be about 5’9” in height, brown in complexion, slimly built, and has his hair in braids. At the time, he was dressed in a white T-shirt and long blue jeans.

This offence reportedly occurred at about 5 a.m. on August 7 at Browne’s Avenue. The matter was reported at the Police Headquarters.

Meanwhile, the Police also report that a joint drug operation between them and the Customs Department netted 22 pounds of cannabis, seized at the General Post Office on Tuesday, August 9.

During the operation, the report says, a cardboard box containing 20 vacuum-sealed packages of marijuana was discovered.

The controlled substance, with an estimated street value of $132,000, was taken to Police Headquarters, as investigations into the matter continue.

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Tekst en beeld Euritha Tjan A Way PARMARIBO — De Wet Collectieve Rechten Inheemse en Tribale Volken zal mogelijk in

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UNC councillor for Kelly Village/Warrenville, Samuel Sankar. Photo courtesy United National Congress

A lone UNC councillor, Samuel Sankar of Kelly Village/Warrenville, attended a meeting of local government representatives hosted by the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development. The meeting was held at the Government Campus Plaza, Richmond Street, Port of Spain on Tuesday.

A letter sent to regional corporation heads on July 28 invited them to the meeting, along with all councillors and all aldermen. The Prime Minister was expected to attend but did not show on the day. Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar on Monday instructed United National Congress (UNC) councillors and chairmen to boycott the meeting. The meeting laid out the operationalisation of the Local Government Reform Bill.

Speaking to Newsday via telephone, Sankar said he attended the meeting because he represents over 12,000 burgesses who are in need of goods and services from local government.

“It was advertised that part of the forum would have facilitated a question-and-answer session by the Prime Minister and the Rural Development and Local Government Minister.

“I made representation for my burgesses at that meeting, and that was my purpose for going there today, to tell and request the Prime Minister: ‘This is my situation, how could you help me? How could you assist my burgesses?’

“That was a direct question for the Local Government Minister, everybody heard it, it was open and that was my sole purpose.”

He said his electoral district had been starved for funding, goods, and services, coming out of local government elections.

“I have five recreational grounds and parks that are overgrown and are not maintained, and I requested those today at the meeting. I need lights in my recreation grounds, I need the grounds to be kept properly, and so my intent was always to facilitate growth and development in access roads, infrastructure development, roads and bridges, drainage. Bejucal Road, Warren Road, Adjodha Road, all are access agriculture roads and they are in a deplorable state.”

Kelly Village/Warrenville councillor Samuel Sankar warns a teenager about the dangers of playing in flood waters as he conducts a disaster management assessment in St Helena on July 30, 2021. File photo/Marvin Hamilton

He said a lot of work needed to be done to alleviate the flooding problems in his electoral district.

“When it floods, I wonder who is coming to help me if I don’t get my representation there. I prefer to treat with mitigation against flooding than to go and look for hampers to distribute.

“I did ask the Local Government Minister those questions and said I need help in my electoral district, roads, infrastructural development, parks and recreation, sanitation, we have challenges throughout the district in terms of services to distribute to our burgesses.”

Samuel said he went to the meeting to speak directly to Dr Rowley and make representation at that level, as he was not in the business of burning tyres and representing at that level.

He said the presentation made by the government was a fantastic one which laid out the direction the government wants to go and the transformation of local government.

“Reform is ongoing, there is a lot of legislative work and how it’s going to roll out was laid out. I think it was a fantastic presentation – if we get 20 per cent of what the government spoke about, it would impact positively on improving the quality of life of our burgesses.

“Based on my interpretation of the information presented, I would say local government elections could happen within a year, but that is up to the minister and the government.”

Samuel said he did not believe he would face consequences for attending the meeting despite the Opposition Leader calling for a boycott.

“I believe that the political leader is an open-minded person, I believe she’s a fair person. I don’t know if I will be punished per se, but I’m there to represent my burgesses and I don’t know any better way to do it than by attending the meeting.”

Tunapuna/Piarco Regional Corporation Chairman Kwasi Robinson said all available PNM councillors attended the meeting. He said while Rowley was not present at the meeting, the Ministers of Rural Development and Local Government, Housing and Urban Development, Public Administration, and the Attorney General and Legal Affairs were present.

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