A suggestion by Member of Parliament (MP) Veronica Jansen-Brewster (see Tuesday newspaper) to press GEBE on the 8.5% part of the fuel clause in utility bills for so-called “net losses” seems like a useful one. During last week’s press briefing Prime Minister Luc Mercelina announced having submitted a letter to the government-owned company’s supervisory board with recommendations to lower the cost of electricity, accompanied by a 40-page related report from Regulatory Authority Curaçao (RAC) in collaboration with St. Maarten’s Bureau Telecommunications and Post (BTP).
However, he stopped short of saying what proposals were made, although reducing taxes or other fees on fuel GEBE uses has been mentioned in the past. His party colleague of United Resilient St. Maarten Movement (URSM) Jansen-Brewster gave her input during Monday’s Central Committee meeting on the new 2025 budget.
She had a point in querying whether the actual amount of produced energy that does not reach customers justifies the 8.5% charge. At the very least, the public deserves further information and calculations applied in this matter.
What’s more, preventing “net loss” is the utility provider’s responsibility. Having all clients share that burden can to some extent even be questioned.
During Tuesday’s continuation of the budget meeting the prime minister did in fact list the 13 specific recommendations (see related story) in the RAC/BTP report. At the end of the day, it will be up to GEBE to decide, also taking into account the principles of corporate governance.
All roads lead to Rome, the saying goes, but to get there one has to take that first step.
