SXMElections.com

PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of VROMI Egbert Jurendy Doran told members of the media on Wednesday that he already informed the Prime Minister and Minister of TEATT that the Council of Ministers needs to call in the boards of GEBE to a shareholders meeting. Doran made the declaration when members of the media asked for clarification on the disconnection notice GEBE published on Tuesday. Doran explained that the shareholder was not informed of the measures GEBE has decided to take since there was an agreement made in March 2020 when the island was on lockdown. The Minister said had the management of GEBE consulted him then he would have advised the company to either hold a meeting or meet with clients to either clarify or rectify the bills consumers are complaining about.
Asked if GEBE management is taking some sort of revenge on the community since the government requested that the company imposed the 12.5% cost-cutting measures as demanded by the Dutch Government Doran said he could not say because the government was not notified.
Noteworthy to mention is a number of GEBE staff participated in the march in meeting last week Thursday with their union representatives. Besides that, there is a voice note circulating where a staff of GEBE powerplant said that the workers at the powerplant are willing to take drastic actions if their salaries and benefits are reduced. The employee in his voice note said St. Maarten should prepare for an island-wide blackout should cost-cutting measures be imposed. The voice note was sent to some Members of Parliament and Government while management discussed the voice note and other concerns GEBE workers have last week.
Minister Doran said he was not aware of the voice note neither was he informed about the threats made by GEBE powerplant workers. The Minister promised to get more information on this matter which he will share with the public.