Announcement of a one-year pilot relief programme by utilities provider GEBE in cooperation with the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labor VSA is no doubt good news for those directly involved. Starting in December, financial aid recipients and vulnerable community members to be registered can receive up to five vouchers of 50 Caribbean guilders each per month towards their bill, for a maximum savings of Cg. 250.
The government-owned company has made available Cg. 50,000 monthly for this, of which half for existing financial aid recipients and the other half for new applicants. Eligibility will be determined by Social Affairs and reassessed every two months.
Keep in mind, however, that receiving the discount requires compliance with the National Ordinance on Financial Aid. This means only persons actually found to be needy according to current standards qualify.
Of course, this regards only a small part of the population. The average consumer and low income groups in general continue to face the burden of high water and electricity costs.
That’s why Prime Minister Luc Mercelina, based on a study by Regulatory Authority Curaçao (RAC) in cooperation with St. Maarten’s Bureau of Telecommunication and Post (BTP) asked to reduce rates several months ago. When his proposal met with resistance he even called on the Supervisory Board to resign, which they refused.
Little was heard about this since, but prolonged tension between the shareholder representative and board is probably not in GEBE’s best long-term interest. The fact remains, nevertheless, that most residents will not be enjoying this pilot’s benefits, so the question is what about them?
