GREAT BAY, Sint Maarten (DCOMM) – The Ministry of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Traffic and Telecommunications (TEATT), Section Transport, more popularly known as the “Control Unit”, executed several controls over the past week in public transportation and economic activity including on Saturday where they made use of the ‘Fine-book’ which was prepared along with the Public Prosecutor’s Office.
A total of ANG 6,650 in fines were issued last week including fines issued to four persons found illegally ‘vending’ on Mullet Bay Beach and around Sunset Beach Bar.
The fines were issued for braiding hair, selling tourist articles and massaging a tourist without a permit to do so. Other violations detected for which fines were issued were 1) transporting persons over the public road without a permit; 2) operating a motor vehicle engaged in passenger transport not issued a license plate under the Passenger Transport Ordinance; 3) operating a motor vehicle without having a valid inspection certificate; 4) driver not in possession of insurance or unable to show proof of insurance upon request; and lastly, annoyingly praising, calling or acting in any other cumbersome way to attract attention from others or to harass others in the search for a fare (commonly referred to as soliciting).
The Inspectorate of TEATT hereby again wishes to remind the general public that engaging in economic activity whether it be public street trade i.e. vending, operating a business or transporting persons over the public road for money requires a permit from the Minister of TEATT.
Inspectorate TEATT strongly advises the general public to first seek out information at the Economic Licenses Department located at the government building before engaging in the aforementioned activities.
All permit holders are reminded to ensure that you are familiar with and abide by the conditions in your permit because your failure to do so can also be a punishable act under the applicable ordinances.
Controllers will continue to execute enforcement of the applicable ordinances with zero tolerance. The department and by extension the ministry’s objective are to ensure a level playing field for law abiding permit holders as well as to discourage illegal activity in all sectors of our economy.
