The local gasoline price has dropped again due to developments on the international oil market (see Monday paper), as it did about a month ago. This is obviously good news for motorists, but also for transport expenses of local businesses, which in an
open economy with free and fair competition ideally would reflect in the cost of consumer goods.
Questions as to why cooking gas had not gone down accordingly were answered recently with a substantial reduction of the liquid petroleum gas (LPG) rates. There had been some initial issues because not all outlets had changed their prices as announced, but controls were held during the following days and they currently appear to be in compliance.
Lower energy cost normally also means cheaper water and electricity, but while in other islands like Curaçao these tariffs are adjusted regularly, very little of such is heard in St. Maarten. The only good news coming from utilities provider GEBE in that sense was the extension until the end of the year of the senior citizens relief programme for those 62 years and older who qualify.
Of course, this silence might have something to do with much turmoil the Government-owned company has been going through, including the suspension and/or dismissal of various management members and lately the shareholder’s call for the entire Supervisory Board to step down. Nevertheless, it regards a vital entity with a monopoly position, so the general public has a right to know what’s going on; for example, with the fuel clause.
Moreover, particularly employees ought to be informed about the situation at GEBE sooner rather than later, as independent parliamentarian Maurice Lake rightly indicated. With all that’s happened, it’s actually a bit surprising that organisations representing the personnel WIFOL/ASEWI have been relatively quiet up to now.
To be sure, labour unions certainly should avoid sitting in the chair of management, but that doesn’t mean they can’t get involved to protect the interests of their members. The workers and their families are probably in need of reassurance, if nothing else.
