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PHILIPSBURG--Minister of Public Housing, Environment, Spatial Planning and Infrastructure (VROMI) Maurice Lake says he has taken note of Windward Islands Chamber of Labour Union's (WICLU) stance with respect to a reduction in utility bills.
Minister Lake reiterated on Friday that he informed the community more than once that relief will be provided by NV GEBE to household consumers, as well as businesses and that in the meantime a reduction in the utility bills of senior citizens would be implemented.
"Relief is not just being provided to a select few. Our seniors live on a pension and they have many challenges, and the reduction in their utility bill will ease the burden on them.
"NV GEBE has not discriminated against anybody. The company was requested to look into relief for household consumers, as well as businesses. The company has to study this to make sure that it does not negatively impact or influence the operations and investment future of the company," Lake explained on Friday.
Minister Lake added that WICLU should have contacted the company for a meeting to be informed about relief for all, rather than making a statement in its bi-weekly press briefing stating that the company was being discriminatory.
"WICLU would have done a better job informing its members and the community after meeting with NV GEBE about the matter. A promise made by NV GEBE is a promise kept in connection with the reduction of utility bills for our seniors. We had to start somewhere and our seniors were at the top of the list to bring forth relief.
"The seniors are very happy with the relief and it's a start in the right direction. I also wrote a letter on July 11, 2014 to the President of Parliament and the Minister of Economic Affairs about NV GEBE's relief across the board for all the residents and commercial consumers.
"The Minister of Economic Affairs is in charge with regulating the tariffs of electricity for the country in accordance with article 12.4 of GEBE's concession. On August 15th, the Minister of Economic Affairs wrote a letter stating that he has no objection to such a decision, and apologised for the almost two-month delay. NV GEBE can go ahead with their initiative after doing their due diligence on the matter. NV GEBE has been informed of this.
"The Minister of Economic Affairs also applauds this initiative and commends all involved who made this effort to bring about relief to all in our community. NV GEBE now needs to do their due diligence and relief will come," Lake concluded.
