Gumbs says ministry structures have not had comprehensive review since 2010

Finance Minister Marinka Gumbs told Parliament that most government ministries are using organisational structures and function books that have not been comprehensively reviewed since 2010. Gumbs said government capacity has not kept pace with demand for services as Sint Maarten’s population grew by about 26% between 2011 and 2022.

Gumbs said personnel expenditure is the largest category in the draft 2027 national budget, at about Cg 288 million. She said the increase partly reflects plans to fill long-standing vacancies, particularly at management level, where capacity constraints affect government’s work and public services.

According to Gumbs, the personnel forecasts already include filling approved vacancies as well as gratuities, bonuses and periodic salary increases. She did not announce a government-wide deadline for reviews of ministry structures and function books during the budget presentation.