SXMElections.com

PHILIPSBURG:--- NV GEBE on Thursday presented LED (Light Emitting Diodes) energy saving light bulbs to five senior citizens at its Pondfill office. Also present was Home Away from Home President Patsy Flanders. Member of Parliament (MP) Maurice Lake, was also scheduled to be present for the presentation, however, he had to be present at the House of Parliament for a meeting. MP Lake has been a staunch supporter of the senior citizen relief program that NV GEBE initiated.
LED bulbs are one of today’s most energy-efficient and rapidly-developing technologies. They use only 20-25 of the energy and last up to 25 times longer than the traditional incandescent bulbs. NV GEBE will be giving out 800 LED energy saving light bulbs to 160 senior citizens who received a voucher that was given out at its December 20th event that took place at the Dr. A.C. Wathey Cruise & Cargo Facility. Each senior citizen who has a voucher will receive five light bulbs.
NV GEBE’s Commercial Manager Iris Arrindell, is reminding those who received vouchers to bring them in at the Pondfill office in order to receive the LED bulbs. Arrindell added that seniors will see a reduction in their utility bills as this would contribute to lower usage and lower bills at the end of each month.
In 2014 NV GEBE personnel installed LED light bulbs in 30 homes belonging to senior citizens. This was the company’s first experience of this nature which led later to the introduction of the senior citizens relief program.
The senior citizens relief program on utility bills is currently being re-evaluated and has been temporarily halted. Arrindell added that the program has to be properly structured so all who meet the requirements can take part in the program.
MP Lake in an invited comment said: “The NV GEBE initiative to provide our senior citizens with LED energy saving bulbs is to be commended. The majority of seniors in our community live from an ‘old-aged pension’ which is very low, and many of our seniors struggle each month to pay their utility bills. This initiative will further reduce their monthly utility bills.
“I would also like to stop the rumour about the senior citizens relief as people are getting confused. I am very confident that the senior citizens relief program that NV GEBE started will continue after they re-evaluate. After a certain time things have to be re-evaluated which is understandable, but I think that this should now lead to this program becoming permanent for our seniors in 2016. As a member of the Coalition of Eight, I will take a stand to make sure that the senior citizens relief will become permanent as soon as possible. We need to take care of our seniors and assist them. There also needs to be NV GEBE Service Offices in key districts such as the Cul de Sac Basin and Belvedere which would enhance service for customers.”
The LED energy saving program has been a hit with seniors with more than 60 already having turned in their vouchers for bulbs. The bulbs are being distributed to those who took part in the senior citizen relief program.
Photo: Patsy Flanders, President of Home Away from Home Foundation (1st right) at NV GEBE Offices on the Pondfill with a group of senior citizens who brought in their vouchers to pick up their LED bulbs.