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Road Fund 2027: what the Finance and VROMI releases each say
Two government releases from October 22 give different figures and timelines for the Road Fund in 2027. Both say XCG 5 million from road tax goes to roads in 2027, with full allocation from 2028.
By SXM Daily ยท
Reported 23 October 2026
Two Government of Sint Maarten press releases issued on October 22, both following a briefing on Wednesday, October 21, describe the Road Fund's 2027 plans differently. One came from the Ministry of Finance and the other from the Ministry of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure (VROMI). This explainer sets out what each ministry said.
What the Ministry of Finance said
- Cg 9 million is budgeted for roads and infrastructure in 2027. Of that, Cg 3.5 million comes from the Road Fund and Cg 5.5 million is "to be financed through a loan to be secured".
- Cg 5 million from road tax is split into Cg 1.5 million for operations and Cg 3.5 million for capital spending.
- A plan from December 2025 set January 1, 2027, as the start of the Road Fund foundation's operations. The legal framework is not yet ready.
- The Road Fund ordinance has been in force since October 10, 2010. The Audit Chamber reviewed it in September 2024.
- Full allocation of road tax to roads from 2028 "is anticipated".
What VROMI said
- XCG 5 million goes to VROMI in 2027.
- The Road Fund's legal structure will be finalized and put in place in 2028.
- VROMI described full allocation of road tax to roads from 2028 as an "assurance".
- The Council of Advice gave its response in August 2026.
Where the releases agree and differ
Both releases say XCG 5 million from road tax goes to roads in 2027, with full allocation from 2028. They differ on the total 2027 figure (Finance gives Cg 9 million, including a loan, while VROMI gives XCG 5 million) and on timing. Finance said the foundation was due to start in January 2027, while VROMI said the structure will be in place in 2028. Finance calls full allocation "anticipated" and VROMI calls it an "assurance". The releases do not reconcile these points.
The budget debate is expected in the first week of November.
Sources
- Ministry of Finance: https://www.sintmaartengov.org/news/Pages/press-release.aspx?slug=minister-of-finance-clarifies-road-fund-implementation-and-commends-historic-investment-in-road-infrastructure-for-2027
- VROMI: https://www.sintmaartengov.org/news/Pages/press-release.aspx?slug=vromi-minister-gumbs-on-road-fund